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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, 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 sticking with that strategy.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

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

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems 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 quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

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

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

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

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