🔗 Share this article I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath Published9 minutes ago 4 Comments The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team. What are they going to do for the rest of series? Surprising Comeback I believe no one anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward. England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match. Batting Mistakes From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt 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 attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region. Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia. Adaptation Issues It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt. There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to 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 face difficulties for the whole series. Pacer's Viewpoint As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team. I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement. Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets. Skill and Resilience There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation. 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 almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good 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. Frequently it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work. 'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession Brilliant Innings In defense to England's pace attack, 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 Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in. My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered 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 second innings. The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected. When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck. In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England. Upcoming Decisions Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order. 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 Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging. Series Outlook After the opening match was dominated 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 world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on. It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed. Pivotal Match Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test. In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit 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 Brisbane is such a crucial game. They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost again.