I'd Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath

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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket 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 doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid 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 full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

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. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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 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 Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go 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 century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.