I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia 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.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to land the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing 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. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable 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 pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
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Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's bowlers, 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 Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
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 unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting Head, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.
