I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn 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 do not think no one expected what happened 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 lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

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

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable 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 loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, 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 batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience 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 stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters 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 sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering 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 batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

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

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