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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 the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface 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. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.

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

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

It is acceptable 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 bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.

Pace Attack Issues

It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. 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 collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

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.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.