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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force 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 deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

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

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

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

Quality and Mental Toughness

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

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good 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 feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, 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 stick with the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position 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 opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress 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 win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

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

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