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For Australia 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?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.

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

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method 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 depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

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

They would been shellshocked 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 loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Brilliant Innings

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

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

The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.

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

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

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

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

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