🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

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

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, 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 unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, 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 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 always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, 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 facing them, aware a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed 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 similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly 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, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

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

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

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting 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 second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight 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 nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

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