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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket 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 so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst 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 batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

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

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with 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, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

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

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible 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, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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

Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting 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 method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

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

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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