I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and win the first 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 rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness 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 made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

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

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

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

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match 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 world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In 2006-07, I was part 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 present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

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

Eric Winters
Eric Winters

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, focusing on strategy and fair play.