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

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action 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 adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, 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 sticking with that strategy.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, 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 change, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Head's Masterclass

In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

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

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, 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 method of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

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

At the moment, England are just one match 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 once more.