I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead 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 major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed 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 change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines 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 defense to England's pace attack, 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 batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it 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 connected.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides 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 second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.
