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The Australian team to fight 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 no one anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish 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 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 major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

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

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error 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 psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, 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 adapt, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket 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 fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry 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 coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.