I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath

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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method 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 precision, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

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Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Upcoming Decisions

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

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.

Tammy Smith
Tammy Smith

A passionate football journalist with over 10 years of experience covering Italian football and Serie B teams.