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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required 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 nine 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 moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, 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 adhering to that method.

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

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions 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 the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start 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 the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving 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 issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.

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

Crucial Next Test

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

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

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

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost again.