I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath

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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

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

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection 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 second to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

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 demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. 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 slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended 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 licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing 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 mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed 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 improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

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

When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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