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For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch 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 major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with 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 game against this England team.

I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

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 loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

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

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.