🔗 Share this article I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath Published9 minutes ago 4 Comments For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions 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 happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace. England were well on top at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match. Batting Mistakes From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback. England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers. Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia. Adaptation Issues It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to change approach. There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method. It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series. Bowling Perspective As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team. I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip. 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 multiple wickets. Quality and Mental Toughness There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible 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, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better. Bowling Concerns It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit 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 seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work. 'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls Brilliant Innings In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head. His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in. My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history. Strategic Decisions It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order 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 day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked. When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck. In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, 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 continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning. That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging. Series Outlook After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests. The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward. It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, 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 day-night conditions for the following match. In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly. At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game. They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost again.