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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

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 made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

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

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Head's Masterclass

In fairness 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 fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I participated 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 game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head 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 previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, 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 stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward.

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

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.

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.