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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to 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 fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside 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 idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

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 loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate 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 day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

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 top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move 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 opening match was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost once more.