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

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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top 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 re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

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

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is fine 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 struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot around 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 facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, 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 the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question 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 continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

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

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, 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 Ashes will be gone once more.