I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath

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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

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

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough 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 initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.

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

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit the same spot 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 prospect of facing 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 ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their bowling. 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 Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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Head's Masterclass

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

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

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. 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 advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive 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 approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

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

Crucial Next Test

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

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

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

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