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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

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

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. 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 recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, 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 approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied 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 going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing 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 talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed 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 almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked 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 fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting 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 stick with the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move 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 opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost again.