🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

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

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs 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 shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst 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 batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those bowls, 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 preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is a lot of talk 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 sticking with that method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit 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, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed 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 improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

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

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, 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 global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation 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 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.