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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

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

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes 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 catalyst for the comeback.

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

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action 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 approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

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

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, having confidence 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 eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.

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 capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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Head's Masterclass

In defense 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 Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup 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 do not believe the two were linked.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne 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 question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

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