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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

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

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

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

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to 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 do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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 identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

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

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated 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 attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

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

Tactical Moves

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

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.

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

Upcoming Decisions

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

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.

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

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

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.