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Beyond Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in this Ashes series following just only six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by the tourists during the opener at the WACA, then pulled off an incredible turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of confidence heading into the second Test, where they delivered England a lesson on playing Test cricket, especially day-night Test cricket.

Series on the Brink

The contest is not dead, but it's not far from it. If England fail to win the Adelaide Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I got a close look of England's approach during the 2023 Ashes on English soil. For all of the discussion about this tour being their chance to finally win a victory in Australia, existed considerable doubt among Australian pundits about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they attempt big shots and discover methods to lose their wickets? Might they collapse when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

At present, all of the Australian observers who expressed doubts about England are being proved validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists much I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when sportspeople play without fear, because that helps them to extend the limits of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the idea that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams ensure members to account.

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

Even when a newcomer, I felt like I had permission to voice my opinion. Every player assumed ownership for the squad's performance.

Subsequently, should a player deviated of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed a mistake repeatedly - which didn't happen frequently - they were told.

A Winning Formula

We had several dominant characters - no one more prominent 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 united because of the love we shared, such was the duration we spent together.

That sense of duty, responsibility and adaptability all came together when we stepped on to the field as a unit.

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

A Culture in Question

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

It was almost as if England had decided conditions had to adapt to their game, rather than the team adjusting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

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

Both Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum conceded problems exist, and they must take action about it.

I hold no problems with the statements the English leadership made publicly at the Gabba. Should the captain and coach have been forthright publicly, one can be sure they have been forceful in private meetings.

A New Version?

Might we witness an evolved form of Bazball? As I mentioned, I like the aspect of competing without fear. Provided England can incorporate the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they may still be on a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have faced criticism, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

Had England been informed they would play an Australia team lacking Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt delighted with glee.

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

Australian Standouts

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in a flawless exhibition with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I played with Healy and Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant revelation from an Australian perspective has been 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 essentially just one question concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That discussion is now resolved, just not in a way anyone predicted.

Settling the Order

Ever since Batsman Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja might find it tough to regain his place, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature in the middle order.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Injuries will mean England's Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood will miss the third Test and the remainder of the series.

That is a great shame for both men. I understand the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in recovering from setbacks, and how desperate both players were to participate fully in this series. They will be devastated.

Adelaide will be a quality surface, offering something for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly reinstate spinner Lyon and it seems Cummins will return to lead.

The Final Word

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

On this occasion, they hold England by the throat and must not let up merely because key players are returning. They cannot get complacent.

An Australian side should always think it is capable of winning every Test it contests, so for that reason this team should be thinking for a five-nil whitewash.

England understands they are compelled but to turn things around in Adelaide. If they don't, could indeed lead to 5-0.