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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed 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 adhering to that strategy.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

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

Quality and Mental Toughness

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

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal 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 first evening, 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 a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

In defense 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 fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open 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 failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the experience 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 stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

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

It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

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

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone once more.