I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath

Cricket action
  • Published
  • 4 Comments

For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, 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 homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside 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 bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, 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 get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

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

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 game I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, 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 stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

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 essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen 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 the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

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

David Mora
David Mora

Elara is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with over a decade of experience in helping individuals transform their health through sustainable fitness practices.