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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in 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 rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. 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. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with 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 do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to land the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable 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 pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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Head's Masterclass

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 batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, 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 up the order for the second innings.

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

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

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

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on 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 dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of slipping 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 need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.