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For Australia to fight back and win the first 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?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine 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 playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, 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 adapt or are unwilling to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

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 entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot 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 idea of facing them, aware one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. 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 Marnus Labuschagne 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 attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 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 lost again.