I'd Be Salivating Bowling to England - Glenn McGrath

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The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of 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 the longest format on fast forward.

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

Batting Mistakes

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 subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

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

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand 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 method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, aware a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

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

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Brilliant Innings

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

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

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Upcoming Decisions

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 the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder 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, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

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

At the present, 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 Ashes will be gone once more.