I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it up close 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 quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat 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 bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.