🔗 Share this article I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - McGrath Published9 minutes ago 4 Comments The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage 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 the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace. England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match. Shot Selection Woes From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings 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. Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia. Adjustment Problems It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach. There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method. It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the entire series. Bowling Perspective As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team. I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip. Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets. Quality and Mental Toughness There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions. They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue 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 first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day. In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives 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 hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman. His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in. My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history. Strategic Decisions It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings. The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think 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 starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England. Upcoming Decisions Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning. That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable. Tournament Perspective After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests. Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward. It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out. Pivotal Match 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 Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England quickly. At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game. They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.