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For Australia to bounce back and win 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 remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine 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 probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt 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 wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

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

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

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

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle 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 accuracy, having confidence to land the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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 improve.

Bowling Concerns

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

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

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 quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

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

In promoting Head, 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 next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

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

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.