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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 left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

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

England were clearly dominant at the midday break 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 point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.

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 preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

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

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

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

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware 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 skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me 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 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 seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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

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 century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist 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 agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

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

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack 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 a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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