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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. 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 doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen 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 do not do 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 method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes 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 method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire 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 land the identical area 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 prospect of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset 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 beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

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

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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 tendency of slipping from England quickly.

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

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