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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively 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 anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

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

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

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

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing 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 talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible 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 capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.

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 don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence 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 second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.