I Would Be Salivating Bowling to England - McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.
