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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly 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?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

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

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close 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 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 entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated 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 context of the game situation, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

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

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism 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 day one, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

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

Future Considerations

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

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering 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 batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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