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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing 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 good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked 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, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In the longest format, all disciplines 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 collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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 unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

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

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

Future Considerations

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 beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

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

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