I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - Glenn McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the second 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.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do 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 aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside 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 bowling to them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, 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, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me 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 excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure 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?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

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

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

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

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

Future Considerations

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 a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

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.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at 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 part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost once more.

Jason Myers
Jason Myers

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