🔗 Share this article I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - McGrath Published9 minutes ago 4 Comments The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team. How will they respond for the remaining series? Unexpected Turnaround I believe anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace. England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match. Shot Selection Woes From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery. England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region. Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman 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 much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method. It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with 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, having confidence to land the same spot 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 prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets. Quality and Mental Toughness There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions. They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue 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 first evening, 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 one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work. 'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls Head's Masterclass In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head. His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in. My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore. Tactical Moves 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 failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked. When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck. In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England. Future Considerations Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning. That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging. Tournament Perspective After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests. The venue is pretty much 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 wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed. Pivotal Match Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test. In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly. 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 massive game. They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.