I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath

Cricket action
  • Published
  • 4 Comments

For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone 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 second 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.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike 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 should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

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

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside 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 bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, devastated 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 change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

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

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

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 played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings.

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

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

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

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue 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 continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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

Nathaniel Sanders
Nathaniel Sanders

A writer and philosopher exploring the intersections of chance, psychology, and human experience through engaging narratives.