🔗 Share this article

Not in Australia's most optimistic hopes could they have believed they'd find themselves leading two-nil in this Ashes series after playing a mere six days of play.

The hosts were put under the pump by England in the first Test at the WACA, then pulled off an incredible reversal.

It put them on a wave of self-belief heading into the second Test, where they gave the English side a masterclass on playing the longest format, particularly pink-ball matches.

A Critical Juncture

The contest remains alive, however, it's not far from it. If England don't win the Adelaide Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I gained a close look of England's approach throughout the 2023 Ashes on English soil. Despite all the discussion about this tour representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a series down under, existed considerable doubt among Australian pundits concerning the manner the English team performs.

Was the English batting lineup be suited to the pitches in Australia? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and discover methods to get out? Might they collapse under the pressure during crucial phases?

At present, all of the Australians who were sceptical regarding England are seeing their views validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists much I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, as this enables them to extend the boundaries of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the notion that pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and the best teams hold each other to account.

"Indeed, there existed support staff like Bob Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who always ran the dressing room."

Even when a young player, I felt like I had permission to voice my opinion. Everyone took ownership for the squad's performance.

Then, if someone stepped out of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed a mistake on more than one occasion - which didn't happen very often - they were told.

A Winning Formula

We had several dominant characters - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions was for the team and for each other. Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together because of the love we shared, so extensive was the duration we had as a group.

That accountability, obligation and flexibility all came together when we stepped on to the field as a team.

Certainly, all of these things are easier while a side is winning, a scenario England are not doing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My worry regarding England was the message of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

It was almost as if England had concluded pitches must conform to their game, instead of England adapting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

Finally, in the aftermath of the loss in Brisbane, it appears the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they need take action to address them.

I have no problems with what the England leaders made publicly after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong publicly, you can guarantee they have been forceful behind closed doors.

Evolution Required

Might we witness a new version of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I support the element of playing fearlessly. If England can incorporate the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still be on to something.

For all that England have faced criticism, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

If England been informed they would face an Australia team without all of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia pulled off victory in Brisbane with each of their remaining players rising to the occasion.

Key Performers for Australia

Mitchell Starc has been exceptionally brilliant, ably assisted by Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Alex Carey delivered an absolute masterclass with the gloves, arguably the finest display of keeping I have witnessed - and I played with Ian Healy and Gilchrist.

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

Prior to the contest, when it appeared there was considerable discussion about the Australia line-up, I said there was only really a debate about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That discussion is now resolved, simply not in the manner anyone expected.

The New Opening Pair

Ever since Batsman Travis Head volunteered to open 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 first-wicket duo.

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

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

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

This represents an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I know the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the dedication that goes into recovering from injuries, and how desperate both would have been to play a full part in this contest. They are surely devastated.

The Adelaide Oval will provide a good pitch, offering something for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it seems Cummins will be back to lead.

The Final Word

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

This time, they have England in a stranglehold and must not let up merely because key players are coming back. They must avoid becoming overconfident.

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning every Test it contests, therefore this squad should be thinking for a 5-0.

England will know they are compelled to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. If they don't, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.