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For Australia to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break 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 re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

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

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close 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 method.

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

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to land the identical area around off stump, with a bit of 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 result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

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

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

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

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'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 confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

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

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

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

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

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

In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost once more.