I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the first 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 believe no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, 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 approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the follow-on.

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.

Cheryl Bolton
Cheryl Bolton

A film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in independent cinema and international film festivals.