I Would Be Salivating Facing England - McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand 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 sluggish 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 accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines 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 lose third wicket in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by 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 Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before 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 promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue 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 continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 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.
