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The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.

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

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

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. 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 things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed 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 get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.

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Head's Masterclass

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack 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 approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is pretty much 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 delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, 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 twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

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