🔗 Share this article

Beyond Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in this Ashes series after playing a mere six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test at the WACA, then pulled off a remarkable reversal.

This propelled them on a wave of self-belief heading into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a masterclass on playing Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

Series on the Brink

The contest remains alive, but it's not far from it. If England fail to win the Adelaide Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got an intimate view at England's style throughout the last Ashes series in the UK. Despite all the talk regarding this trip being their chance to finally win a victory in Australia, existed considerable scepticism in this country concerning the manner the English team performs.

Was the English batting lineup be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they play aggressive strokes and discover methods to get out? Would they crumble when pressure mounted of the big moments?

At present, every one of the Australians who expressed doubts regarding England are seeing their views right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists a lot I like regarding England's mindset. I love it when sportspeople play without fear, as this enables them to extend the boundaries of what is possible.

But I don't like the idea that external pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. The great players excel when challenged, and top-tier teams ensure members to account.

"Yes, there were the coaches like Bob Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the skipper and senior players who always ran the dressing room."

Even when a newcomer, I believed I was allowed to have my say. Everyone took responsibility for the squad's performance.

Subsequently, should a player deviated from the standard, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed an error on more than one occasion - an uncommon occurrence very often - they were addressed.

A Winning Formula

We had several dominant characters - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions served the team and for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden used to say we pulled together due to the affection we had for each other, such was the duration we had as a group.

That accountability, obligation and adaptability all came together when we stepped onto the pitch as a unit.

Admittedly, these factors are easier when a team secures victories, which England are not doing at this moment.

Examining the Approach

My worry for England stemmed from the philosophy of a rigid style fostered an environment deficient in accountability.

It seemed that England had concluded pitches must conform to their game, instead of England adapting their strategy to suit the conditions.

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

Captain Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum conceded there are issues, and they must to do something to address them.

I have no problems with what the England leaders said in public at the Gabba. Should the captain and coach have been forthright in the media, one can be sure they have been forceful in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see a new version of Bazball? As I mentioned, I support the element of competing without fear. If England can add the elements of pressure and accountability, then they may still possess to something.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia merits a huge amount of credit.

Had England had been told they would play an Australia team lacking their captain Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia pulled off a win in Brisbane with all of their remaining players standing up.

Australian Standouts

Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, supported by Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I shared a dressing room with Healy and Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant discovery for Australia is the change in the batting order.

Prior to the contest, when there seemed to be a lot of debate regarding Australia's lineup, I stated there was only really one question about one area - Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That debate has been settled, just not in the manner anyone predicted.

The New Opening Pair

From the moment Travis Head stuck his hand up to open following Khawaja's injury in Perth, Australia have looked transformed. Now, it appears there is a chance for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the opening pair.

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

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

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

That is a great shame for both men. I understand how much hard work required to bowl quickly, the dedication that goes into recovering from setbacks, and how eager both players were to participate fully in this series. They will be devastated.

Adelaide will provide a good pitch, offering something for batters and bowlers alike. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to lead.

Closing Thoughts

Australia recalls how England came from 2-0 down to draw the previous series. They will know England are dangerous.

This time, they have England by the throat and should not let up just because some big names are returning. They cannot get complacent.

An Australia team must always believe it can win every Test it contests, therefore this squad should be thinking for a five-nil whitewash.

England will know they have no choice to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.