I Would Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs 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 failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed 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 adhering to that method.
It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside 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, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players 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 the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, 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 approach of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, 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 present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost once more.
