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

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

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

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain 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 method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

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

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing 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 psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. 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 similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

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

Usman Khawaja 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 linked.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from now on.

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

Crucial Next Test

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 national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

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

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