McGrath cautions against reactive changes to XI

Fast-bowling legend Glenn McGrath hopes Australia’s first Test defeat in Cardiff won’t lead to a “knee-jerk reaction” at the selection table ahead of Thursday’s second Test at Lord’s.

McGrath felt Darren Lehmann’s men over-attacked at Cardiff and suggested a rethink of strategy, rather than mass changes to the XI, should be considered going into the crucial next match in the English capital.

“England outplayed Australia in every department,” McGrath told cricket.com.au.

“They’ll have to adjust a few game plans. They were very attacking that probably didn’t suit that style of play.

“They’ll have to assess the wicket at Lord’s very quickly, then have the bowling plans and fielding plans to cope with that.”

Video: Lehmann speaks with the press

In his column with the UK Telegraph, McGrath said he would give Watson another chance but felt the selectors may not.

“There is no need for a knee-jerk reaction,” he wrote. “This was Australia’s first Test match defeat since they lost to Pakistan in the UAE in October and the period since has also included a World Cup victory so it is hardly the right time to panic.

“I would give Shane Watson one last chance at Lord’s but the fact he got out lbw in both innings will make the selectors concerned and I suspect they will make changes this week.

“Watson is a quality player but he needs to work out a way of beating this lbw problem if he is going to stay at Test level.

“Everyone knows how he is going to be targeted and unfortunately for him he just does not seem to receive the benefit of the doubt anymore from the umpires. Both times in Cardiff he was given out with the ball just clipping the stumps.”

With Mitchell Starc’s fitness at this stage unknown, McGrath said Peter Siddle loomed as the smart selection over the relatively unknown quantity of 22-year-old one-Test wonder Pat Cummins.

“They probably have to go with Peter Siddle,” he told cricket.com.au. “Pat Cummins hasn’t played the longer version of the game for a long time. Whether he can get through a Test … the fact that he’s here says they think he can, but they’ll probably go for a little bit more control and a little bit more experience (with Siddle).”

Video: Aussie concerns ahead of Lord's

The 45-year-old said Mitchell Johnson’s second-innings 77 was evidence that Australia’s top order failed to set themselves adequately for long stays at the crease in the Cardiff Test.

“(Johnson’s innings) goes to show they have to apply themselves a little bit more once they are in, to go on and make a big score,” he added.

“Hopefully the Australian batsmen will think a little bit more about it and we’ll see a different team take the field in a few days.”

McGrath took 26 wickets in three Ashes Tests at the home of cricket and believes Josh Hazlewood has the potential to bowl well at a venue famous for its sloped surface.

“At Lord’s this week Hazlewood will be a real threat with the slope,” he wrote for the Telegraph.

“When bowling from the Pavilion End at Lord’s you have to bowl outside off-stump. From the other end you need to bowl middle and off because the ball goes away from the right hander due to the slope.

“Getting used to the contours of the ground and finding that right length to hit the top of off-stump are crucial.”

Click above to learn more about how to stream the Ashes and more cricket