I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.
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 shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able 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 Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness 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 fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack 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 method of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, 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 moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost again.
