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

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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch 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 get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland 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 driving force 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 bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me 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 opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack 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 method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

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

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.