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For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

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

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish 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.

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman 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 the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

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

In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go 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 first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given 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 move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

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

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.