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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

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

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes 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 fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside 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 idea of facing them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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 similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls

Head's Masterclass

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.

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

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the experience of starting 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 continue the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition 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 pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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