I Would Be Salivating Facing England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, 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 recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside 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 psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked 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 true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, 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 man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three 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.
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 top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, 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 must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.
