I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly 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 believe anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, 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 fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, 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 land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, 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 defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

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

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence 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 second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for 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, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

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

At the present, England are just one match 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 historic urn will be gone again.