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

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. 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 get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

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

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Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression 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 the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, 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 win 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 the venue is such a massive game.

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