🔗 Share this article

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch 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.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my precision, 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 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 skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal 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 attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

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

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

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

In moving Head, who has the confidence 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 next match. 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 batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on 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 pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.