I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder 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 no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

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 shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

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

It is fine 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 entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes 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 defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue 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 bowling unit 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 backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, 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 defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.

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

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.