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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

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

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.

I depended on my precision, having confidence to land 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 idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal 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 opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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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 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote 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 failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three 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.

Upcoming Decisions

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 Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

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

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

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 part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.