🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

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

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. 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, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batters were out attempting to strike 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 batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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 approach, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

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

Quality and Mental Toughness

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

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack 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 Plan B. Quite often it seems 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 fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

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

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.

The opener 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 do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh 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 dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

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

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed 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 Brisbane is such a crucial game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone once more.