I Would Be Salivating Bowling to England - Glenn McGrath

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

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

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

England were clearly dominant at lunch 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.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

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

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy 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 bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot 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 idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

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

When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting 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 next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member 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 present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.