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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 scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think 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, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

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

Adjustment Problems

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

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed 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 acceptable on sluggish 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.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated 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 change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

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 match I played in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, 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 method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue 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 all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

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

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.