🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

For Australia to fight back and win 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?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

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

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

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

Adaptation Issues

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

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. 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 acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature 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 promote Head up the order for the follow-on.

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

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

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

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

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

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