I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath

Cricket action
  • Published
  • 4 Comments

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

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

Trying to score 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 failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot 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 prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

In defense 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 quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue 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 Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.

Yvonne Charles
Yvonne Charles

Lena is a passionate gamer and tech writer with over a decade of experience covering the gaming industry and sharing her expertise.