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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

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

England were well on top at the midday break on the second 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.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are unwilling 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 adhering to that strategy.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties 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 hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could bring 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 exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. 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 improve.

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 the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening 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 next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster 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 the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.

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

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

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

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