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Not in Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they'd find themselves 2-0 up in this Ashes series after playing only six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by the tourists during the opener at the WACA, before executing a remarkable turnaround.

This propelled them riding a crest of confidence heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave the English side a lesson on playing Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, but it's perilously close. If England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got a close look at England's style throughout the 2023 Ashes on English soil. For all of the talk about this tour representing their opportunity to finally win a victory down under, existed considerable scepticism among Australian pundits concerning the manner the English team performs.

Was the English batting lineup be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and discover methods to lose their wickets? Would they crumble when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

At present, all of the Australians who were sceptical regarding England are being proved right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists a lot I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when athletes compete fearlessly, because that helps them push the limits of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the notion that pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. Elite performers excel when challenged, and top-tier teams ensure members are accountable.

"Yes, there were the coaches such as Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the captain and experienced players who always ran the team environment."

Even as a young player, I believed I was allowed to have my say. Everyone took ownership of the team.

Subsequently, should a player deviated of line, they were held accountable by the other players. If an individual committed an error on more than one occasion - which didn't happen frequently - they were told.

The Australian Blueprint

We had some huge personalities - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that our actions served the team and for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together because of the love we shared, such was the amount of time we spent together.

That sense of duty, obligation and flexibility all came together as we walked on to the field as a unit.

Admittedly, these factors are easier while a side secures victories, a scenario England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

Examining the Approach

My concern regarding England stemmed from the philosophy of a rigid style yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.

It was almost as if England had decided conditions had to adapt to their game, instead of the team adjusting their game to suit the conditions.

Ultimately, following the result of the defeat at the Gabba, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they need to do something to address them.

I hold no problems with the statements the England leaders said in public after the Brisbane Test. Should the captain and coach have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even stronger behind closed doors.

Evolution Required

Will we now see an evolved form of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I like the aspect of playing fearlessly. Provided England can add the elements of pressure and accountability, then they may still be on a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia merits significant credit of credit.

Had England had been told they would play an Australian side without all of their captain Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt rubbing their hands with anticipation.

Nevertheless, Australia achieved victory at the Gabba with each of their other players standing up.

Key Performers for Australia

Pacer Mitchell Starc has proven exceptionally brilliant, ably assisted by Neser, Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I shared a dressing room with Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest discovery for Australia has been the shift in the batting order.

Before the series, when there seemed to be a lot of discussion regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just a debate concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That debate is now resolved, just not in a way anyone predicted.

Settling the Order

Ever since Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, it appears to be the opportunity for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja might find it tough to get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat at number five.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Injuries will mean English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood being absent for the third Test and the rest of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both men. I know the immense effort required to bowl quickly, the effort that goes into recovering from setbacks, and how desperate both players were to participate fully in this contest. They are surely devastated.

Adelaide will provide a good pitch, offering something for batsmen and bowlers alike. Australia will undoubtedly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to lead.

Closing Thoughts

Australia will remember how England came from a two-nil deficit to level the previous series. They are aware England are dangerous.

This time, they hold England by the throat and must not relent merely because some big names are returning. They must avoid get complacent.

An Australia team should always think it can win every Test it contests, so for that reason this squad ought to be aiming for a five-nil whitewash.

England understands they are compelled but to turn things around at Adelaide. Failure to do so, could indeed lead to 5-0.