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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions 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 happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.

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

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed 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 method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, 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 depended on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls

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

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match 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 up the order for the second innings.

The opener has copped it 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 Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, 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 fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

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 tendency of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.