I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - Glenn McGrath

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

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think anyone expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most 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 moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method 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 game against this England team.

I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing 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 ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman 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.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for 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 bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.