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The Australian team to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on 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 Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant 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 re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.
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 batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of 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 little bit of respite from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away 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 need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.
