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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit 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 eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. 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 things unfolded 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 change, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction 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 one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with 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 Perth ground previously – a game I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, 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 brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

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

They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost once more.