Build pressure, wickets will come: McGrath

Australia's bowlers were guilty of pressing too hard for wickets in the third Ashes Test rather than concentrating on getting the basics says the country's greatest pace bowler.

Glenn McGrath said that Australia's effort with the ball at Edgbaston was "reminiscent of Cardiff" when the bowlers struggled to make an impact.

Josh Hazlewood eked out an edge from England opener Adam Lyth before spinner Nathan Lyon claimed Alastair Cook to a freak catch and Ian Bell from a miscued shot on the opening day of the third Test.

"Sometimes when you're defending a small target you start going looking for wickets," McGrath said.

"I think Australia were guilty of that, of trying to knock England over and take wickets rather than get the ball in the right area and build pressure.

"There was only one maiden over in the whole inning so far and I think that says a lot about their mindset.

"They're looking to take wickets rather than getting the ball in the right area, build pressure and then the wickets will come."

Replay: Watch all Australian wickets on day one (restrictions apply)

England's James Anderson made a stunning return to form to take six wickets after going wicketless in the previous Test at Lord's, the first time he had done so at that venue in his career.

The Australians were unable to match that line and length, with McGrath claiming the Australians were either too short or too full and also strayed down leg-side too much.

However, McGrath had no qualms about captain Michael Clarke's decision to bat first under grey skies in Birmingham.

"Looking at that wicket, you're always going to win the toss and bat first," said McGrath. "It's exactly what Alastair Cook would have done."

Australia's leading fast-bowling wicket-taker said batsmen would have expected the ball to nip around

Straight after lunch the wickets just kept falling and to be knocked over for 136 on a wicket that England are making look not quite as tough, is not good."

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