I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath

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The Australian team to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to finish 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 most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk 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 sticking with that method.

It is fine on sluggish 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.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

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 adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned 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 true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

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

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

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue 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 enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

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

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost again.