I'd Be Salivating Bowling to England - McGrath

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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. 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 comeback.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

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

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

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

Skill and Resilience

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

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, 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 pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's bowlers, 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 Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down 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 failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

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

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

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

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

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

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

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