🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

For Australia to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder 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 anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format 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 doing plenty. It looked so tough 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 probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside 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 showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand 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 method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle 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 precision, having confidence 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 eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, 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 defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In fairness 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 man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.

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

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving 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 beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five 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 opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters 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, batters on each team 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 part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

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

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