I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath

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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter 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 Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst 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 deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

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

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area around 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 facing them, aware a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable 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 almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

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

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

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

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

At the moment, 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 Ashes will be gone once more.