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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

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

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch 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 turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

It showed 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 aggressive style. I witnessed it up close 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 strategy.

It is fine on slow, low 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 relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, aware one mistake could bring three or four 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 flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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 get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

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

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

My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

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

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress 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 overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 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 Ashes will be gone again.