🔗 Share this article

Not in the Aussies' most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be leading two-nil in the current Ashes series following just only six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test at the WACA, before executing a remarkable turnaround.

It put them on a wave of self-belief heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they delivered the English side a lesson on playing Test cricket, especially day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest remains alive, but it's perilously close. If England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got an intimate view of England's approach during the last Ashes series in the UK. Despite all the discussion about this tour representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a series down under, existed a lot of scepticism in this country concerning the manner England play.

Was the English batting lineup be suited to Australian conditions? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and find ways to lose their wickets? Might they collapse under the pressure during crucial phases?

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

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists a lot I admire regarding England's mindset. I love it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, as this enables them to extend the limits of potential.

However, I disagree with the idea that external pressure or expectation needs to be removed. The great players excel when challenged, and top-tier teams ensure members to account.

"Yes, there were support staff such as Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the captain and senior players who always ran the team environment."

Even when a newcomer, I believed I was allowed to voice my opinion. Everyone took ownership for the squad's performance.

Subsequently, should someone stepped out from the standard, they faced consequences by the other players. If someone made a mistake on more than one occasion - an uncommon occurrence very often - they were told.

A Winning Formula

Our team contained several dominant characters - none bigger than the legendary Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that our actions was for the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together because of the love we had for each other, such was the duration we spent together.

That accountability, responsibility and adaptability all came together as we walked onto the pitch as a team.

Certainly, all of these things prove simpler while a side is winning, which England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My concern for England was the message of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.

It seemed that England had concluded conditions had to adapt to their game, rather than the team adjusting their game to suit the conditions.

Finally, in the aftermath of the loss at the Gabba, it looks like realisation has dawned.

Both Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum conceded there are issues, and they need take action to address them.

I hold no problems with the statements the English leadership said in public after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright in the media, one can be sure they have been forceful in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see an evolved form of their aggressive brand? Like I said, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can incorporate the elements of pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still be on a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

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

And yet, Australia achieved victory at the Gabba with all of their other players standing up.

Australian Standouts

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered an absolute masterclass with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I played with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

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

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

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

The New Opening Pair

Ever since Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia has appeared like a different team. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja could find it tough to regain his place, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature at number five.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will result in England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood will miss the third Test and the rest of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both men. I understand the immense effort required to bowl quickly, the effort that goes into recovering from injuries, and how desperate both players were to play a full part in this series. They are surely devastated.

Adelaide will be a good pitch, offering something for batters and bowlers. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia will remember how England recovered from 2-0 down to draw the last Ashes. They are aware England poses a threat.

This time, they have England by the throat and must not relent just because some big names are coming back. They cannot get complacent.

An Australia team must always believe it is capable of winning every Test it plays, so for that reason this squad ought to be aiming for a five-nil whitewash.

England will know they have no choice to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. If they don't, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.