🔗 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, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant 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 so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, 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 driving force for the recovery.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence 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 licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing 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 good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat 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 opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently 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

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

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

In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, 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 stick with the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as 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 challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated 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 pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, 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. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the moment, 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 historic urn will be gone again.