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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

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

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think anyone expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at 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 shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.

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

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk 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 pretty stubborn 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 fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked 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, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's attack 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 Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, 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 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 the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, 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 continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

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 Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

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

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