I Would Be Salivating Facing England - McGrath
- Published
- 4 Comments
For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at the midday break 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 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 driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot 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 bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four 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 psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked 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, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
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 quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting 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 next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost once more.
