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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

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

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.

It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated 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.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Strategic Decisions

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Upcoming Decisions

Now there is the question 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 continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Tournament Perspective

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.

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