I Would Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one anticipated 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 clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler 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 wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.
There is a lot of talk 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 adhering to that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game 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 bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In defense 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 fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening 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 continue the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress 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. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
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 need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone again.
