🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

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

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

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

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit 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 aspects require a Plan B. Quite often 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 lose third wicket in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise 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 batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

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

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.