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For Australia to bounce back and win the first 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 remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. 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 driving force for the recovery.

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

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

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

I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside 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 bowling to them, aware a single error could bring three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

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 loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar 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 the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

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Brilliant Innings

In fairness 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 fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup 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 previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

The venue is pretty much 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. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.