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

How will they respond for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.

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

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed 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 strategy.

It is acceptable 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 face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

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

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue 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 attack was excellent 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 Plan B. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.

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

Brilliant Innings

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 fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

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

In promoting Head, who has the confidence of starting 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 next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

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

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

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