I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath
- Published
- 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.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe anyone anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine 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 arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst 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 strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside 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 bowling to them, aware one mistake 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 ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root 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 previously – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.
