🔗 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 scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

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

Surprising Comeback

I believe 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 following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively 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 paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, 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

Head's Masterclass

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, 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 correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, 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 need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone once more.