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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 rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, 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 completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

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

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt 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 Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

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 struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

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 disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

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

Tactical Moves

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 failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, 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 stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress 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 achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.