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Beyond Australia's most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be leading two-nil in this Ashes series following just only six days of cricket.

They were put under the pump by England in the first Test at the WACA, then pulled off a remarkable reversal.

This propelled them on a wave of self-belief going into the second Test, where they gave England a lesson in how to play Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

This series is not dead, but it's not far from it. If England don't win the third Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I got a close look of England's approach during the last Ashes series in the UK. For all of the talk about this tour representing their opportunity to finally win a victory in Australia, there was considerable doubt among Australian pundits concerning the manner England play.

Was the English batting lineup be appropriate for the pitches in Australia? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and discover methods to get out? Might they collapse when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

At present, every one of the Australian observers who were sceptical regarding England are being proved right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists much I like about England's attitude. I appreciate it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, as this enables them to extend the limits of potential.

However, I disagree with the notion that external pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other are accountable.

"Yes, there were support staff like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who always ran the dressing room."

Even as a young player, I believed I was allowed to have my say. Everyone took ownership of the team.

Subsequently, should a player deviated from the standard, they faced accountable by the other players. If someone made an error on more than one occasion - which didn't happen very often - they were told.

A Winning Formula

Our team contained some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that our actions served the team and our comrades. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we united due to the affection we had for each other, so extensive was the amount of time we had as a group.

That accountability, obligation and adaptability collectively manifested as we walked onto the pitch as a team.

Certainly, these factors prove simpler when a team secures victories, a scenario England are currently not experiencing right now.

A Culture in Question

My worry regarding England stemmed from the philosophy of a rigid style yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.

It seemed as if England had concluded pitches must conform to them, rather than the team adjusting their game to the prevailing conditions.

Finally, following the result of the defeat in Brisbane, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum acknowledged problems exist, and they must take action to address them.

I hold no problems with the statements the English leadership made publicly at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright publicly, you can guarantee they have been even more forceful behind closed doors.

Evolution Required

Might we witness an evolved form of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I like the element of competing without fear. If England can incorporate the elements of pressure and accountability, then they might still possess to something.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia merits a huge amount of credit.

Had England had been told they would play an Australia team lacking their captain Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with anticipation.

Nevertheless, Australia achieved a win in Brisbane with each of their remaining players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has proven absolutely outstanding, ably assisted by Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I shared a dressing room with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation from an Australian perspective has been the shift in the batting order.

Prior to the contest, when there seemed to be a lot of discussion about the Australia line-up, I said there was only really one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That discussion is now resolved, just not in a way anyone predicted.

Settling the Order

From the moment Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury in Perth, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, there seems there is a chance for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could find it tough to get back in, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat in the middle order.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Fitness issues will result in English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood will miss the Adelaide Test and the remainder of the series.

That is a great shame for both athletes. I understand the immense effort required to bowl quickly, the effort involved in coming back from setbacks, and how eager both would have been to play a full part in this series. They will be heartbroken.

The Adelaide Oval will be a quality surface, with something in it for batsmen and bowlers alike. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it seems Cummins will return to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia recalls how England came from a two-nil deficit to draw the last Ashes. They are aware England are dangerous.

On this occasion, they hold England by the throat and must not let up merely because some big names are coming back. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning each match it contests, therefore this squad ought to be aiming about winning 5-0.

England understands they are compelled but to turn things around in Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be 5-0.