I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete 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 re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close 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 method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot around 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 bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, 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 improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.
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Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team 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.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at 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 Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, 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 Ashes will be lost again.