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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in 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 rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest 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 trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.

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

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable 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.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips 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 high-quality 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 stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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 almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack 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 approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

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