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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the first 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 anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence 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 licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers 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 made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.
In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive 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 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 Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.
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 must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.
