I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath

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The Australian team to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following 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.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable 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 entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, 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 top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned 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 loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

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 attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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Head's Masterclass

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

His century off 69 deliveries 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 participated in.

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence 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 method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, 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 remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite 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 so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

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

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

Mr. Justin Murphy
Mr. Justin Murphy

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino trends and player psychology.