🔗 Share this article I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath Published9 minutes ago 4 Comments The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team. How will they respond for the remaining series? Surprising Comeback I believe no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace. England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match. Shot Selection Woes From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery. England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region. Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia. Adaptation Issues It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt. There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method. 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 bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team. I relied on my precision, 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 eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, aware one mistake could bring three or four wickets. Quality and Mental Toughness There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions. They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed 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 first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day. In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails. 'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession Brilliant Innings In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great 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 match I played in. My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history. Tactical Moves It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings. The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked. When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck. In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England. Upcoming Decisions Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the beginning. That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back 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 first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering 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 batsmen should get a little bit of respite from here onward. It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, 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 habit of getting away from England rapidly. At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game. They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost again.