I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - McGrath

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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

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

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

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

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.

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 get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack 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 seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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Brilliant Innings

In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by 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 the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

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

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman missed out on day one, 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 take the attack 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 attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis 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 opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

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

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series 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 Brisbane is such a crucial game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.