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The Australian team to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface 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 major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

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

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, 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, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

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

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

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

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

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

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

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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 muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of starting 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 approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone once more.