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

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

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

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

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. 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 catalyst for the comeback.

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

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is fine 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 whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game 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 prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, 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, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, 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 a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In promoting 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 continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition 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 short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze 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 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

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