I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness 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 quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup 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 connected.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive 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 attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.
