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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in 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 remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think anyone anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine 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 shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force 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 one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

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

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude 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 made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the follow-on.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting 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 continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit 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 must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone once more.