I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath

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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening 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 remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket 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 doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection 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 catalyst for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with 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 face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside 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 facing them, knowing one mistake could result in 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 skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been stunned 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 true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

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

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja 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 connected.

When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

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 continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

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

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