🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

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

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

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

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

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed 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 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 a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked 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 change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root 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 the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

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

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

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.