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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder 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 happened on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required 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 playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

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

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of 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 precision, backing myself to hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake 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 attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. 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 get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism 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 failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

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

It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

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 a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

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

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.