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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars 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 Saturday. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

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

There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed 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 strategy.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, aware a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers 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, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

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

His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

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

In moving Head, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack 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 approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, 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 world, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

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

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

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 crucial game.

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