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For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required 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 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 probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me 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 put under pressure on the following day.
In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive 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 method of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
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 pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 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 lost once more.
