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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 psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand 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 method.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area around 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 bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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 almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, 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 pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

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

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, 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, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, 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 once more.