I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same 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 disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's bowlers, 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 the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day 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 stuck.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, 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 approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. 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 opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

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

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency 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 crucial game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.