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For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required 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 doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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 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, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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 improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go 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 great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

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

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.