I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, 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 collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the confidence 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 stick with the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper 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 first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.
It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.
