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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 left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following 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.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal 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 pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, 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 the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.

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

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup 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 previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

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 second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

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