I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath

Cricket action
  • Published
  • 4 Comments

The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format 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 doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score 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 not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of 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 depended on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

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.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

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 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting 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 method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.

Kathryn Campbell
Kathryn Campbell

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in game journalism and community building.