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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly 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 Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

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

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

Attempting runs off those bowls, 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 adapt or are unwilling to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, 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 going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple 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 mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

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

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like 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 hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist 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. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman 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 the sport the day before 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 bogged down.

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

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method 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 middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 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 lost once more.