I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed 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, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, 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 one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously â a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head 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 do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting Head, 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of getting away 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 historic urn will be gone again.
