I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively 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 expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded 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 adapt, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable 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 the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting 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 method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone again.
