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For Australia to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler 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 recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside 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 batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

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

Bowling Perspective

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

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

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude 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 adapt, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good 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 a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal 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 Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

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 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 the batsman missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, 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 continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering 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 batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides 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 day-night conditions for the second Test.

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

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

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