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For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland 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, in the air, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is much discussion 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 adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.

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

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, aware 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 talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, 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 get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, 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 the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

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

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost once more.