I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second 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 point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with 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 struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the identical area 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 bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable 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 pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness 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 the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position 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 opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.
