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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors 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 trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to 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 entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed 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 nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed 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 adapt, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. 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 controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost once more.
