🔗 Share this article

Beyond Australia's most optimistic hopes could they have believed they'd find themselves leading two-nil in the current historic rivalry after playing only six days of play.

They were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test at the WACA, before executing an incredible reversal.

It put them riding a crest of self-belief heading into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a masterclass on playing Test cricket, particularly pink-ball matches.

Series on the Brink

This series is not dead, however, it's perilously close. If England fail to win the third Test, it will get deeply humiliating.

I got a close look at England's style throughout the last Ashes series in the UK. Despite all the talk about this tour being their chance to ultimately secure a series in Australia, there was considerable doubt among Australian pundits concerning the manner the English team performs.

Would England's batting be suited to the pitches in Australia? Would they attempt big shots and discover methods to lose their wickets? Might they collapse when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

At present, every one of the Australians who were sceptical about England are being proved validated.

Attitude and Accountability

There exists a lot I admire about England's attitude. I love it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, because that helps them push the boundaries of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the notion that external pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. The great players thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams ensure members to account.

"Yes, there were the coaches like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who invariably managed the dressing room."

Even as a young player, I believed I had permission to voice my opinion. Everyone took ownership of the team.

Subsequently, should a player deviated of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed a mistake on more than one occasion - which didn't happen frequently - they were addressed.

The Australian Blueprint

Our team contained several dominant characters - no one more prominent than the legendary Shane Warne - but we all felt that what we were doing served the team and for each other. Matthew Hayden used to say we united because of the love we had for each other, such was the duration we spent together.

That accountability, responsibility and flexibility collectively manifested when we stepped on to the field as a unit.

Certainly, all of these things prove simpler while a side secures victories, a scenario England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

Examining the Approach

My worry for England was the message of "this is the way we play" fostered an environment deficient in personal responsibility.

It seemed as if England had concluded conditions had to adapt to them, rather than England adapting their game to suit the conditions.

Finally, following the result of the loss at the Gabba, it appears the penny has dropped.

Both Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum conceded problems exist, and they need to do something about it.

I hold no problems with the statements the England leaders made publicly at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright publicly, one can be sure they have been even more even stronger behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Will we now see a new version of Bazball? As I mentioned, I support the aspect of competing fearlessly. Provided England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still be on a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia merits significant credit for their performance.

If England been informed they would play an Australian side without all of their captain Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia achieved victory at the Gabba with each of their remaining players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, ably assisted by Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in a flawless exhibition with the gloves, arguably the finest display of keeping I've ever seen - and I shared a dressing room with Healy and Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant revelation from an Australian perspective has been the shift within the top order.

Before the series, when there seemed to be a lot of debate about the Australia line-up, I said there was essentially just one question about one area - Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That debate has been settled, simply not in a way anyone expected.

Settling the Order

From the moment Batsman Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt during the Perth Test, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could find it tough to get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he might feature in the middle order.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Fitness issues will mean England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood will miss the Adelaide Test and the rest of the series.

This represents a great shame for both men. I understand how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the effort that goes into coming back from injuries, and how eager both players were to participate fully in this series. They will be devastated.

Adelaide will be a good pitch, with something in it for batters and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly recall Lyon and it seems Cummins will be back to lead.

The Final Word

Australia recalls how England came from 2-0 down to level the last Ashes. They will know England poses a threat.

This time, they hold England by the throat and should not relent just because key players are returning. They cannot get complacent.

An Australian side should always think it can win each match it plays, so for that reason this team ought to be aiming for a 5-0.

England understands they are compelled to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be 5-0.