I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath

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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst 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 batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have always felt 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 some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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 very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In defense 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 the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match 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 Ashes will be gone again.