🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine 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 point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

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

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

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

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit 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 eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable 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 similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, 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 stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.