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Beyond Australia's most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in the current Ashes series following just only six days of cricket.

The hosts were put under the pump by England in the first Test at the WACA, then pulled off a remarkable turnaround.

It put them on a wave of confidence heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they delivered the English side a masterclass in how to play Test cricket, particularly pink-ball matches.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, however, it's perilously close. Should England don't win the Adelaide Test, it will get embarrassing.

I gained a close look of England's approach throughout the 2023 Ashes on English soil. Despite all the discussion regarding this trip being their chance to finally win a victory in Australia, there was a lot of doubt among Australian pundits concerning the manner the English team performs.

Was the English batting lineup be suited to Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and find ways to get out? Would they crumble when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

At present, every one of the Australian observers who expressed doubts regarding England are being proved validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is a lot I admire regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when sportspeople play without fear, as this enables them push the boundaries of what is possible.

But I don't like the notion that pressure or expectation needs to be removed. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and the best teams ensure members are accountable.

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

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

Subsequently, should someone stepped out of line, they faced consequences from their teammates. If an individual committed a mistake repeatedly - an uncommon occurrence very often - they were addressed.

A Winning Formula

Our team contained several dominant characters - no one more prominent than the legendary Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions was for the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden often stated we united because of the love we had for each other, so extensive was the amount of time we had as a group.

That sense of duty, responsibility and adaptability collectively manifested when we stepped on to the field as a unit.

Admittedly, all of these things prove simpler when a team secures victories, which England are not doing at this moment.

Examining the Approach

My concern regarding England was the message of a rigid style yielded a culture deficient in personal responsibility.

It was almost as if England had decided conditions had to adapt to them, instead of England adapting their strategy to suit the conditions.

Finally, following the result of the defeat in Brisbane, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Both Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they must to do something to address them.

I hold no issue with the statements the England leaders said in public after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright in the media, one can be sure they have been even more even stronger behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Will we now see an evolved form of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of playing fearlessly. Provided England can add the elements of embracing pressure and accountability, then they may still possess to something.

For all that England have faced criticism, Australia merits a huge amount for their performance.

If England had been told they would face an Australian side lacking Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt delighted with anticipation.

And yet, Australia pulled off victory in Brisbane with all of their other players standing up.

Australian Standouts

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass behind the stumps, arguably the finest display of keeping I've ever seen - and I shared a dressing room with Ian Healy and Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant revelation for Australia is the shift within the top order.

Before the series, when it appeared to be a lot of debate regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

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

Settling the Order

Ever since Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to open following Khawaja's injury in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems there is a chance for 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 indicated he could bat at number five.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Fitness issues will result in English speedster Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood being absent for the Adelaide 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 that goes into recovering from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to participate fully in this series. They will be heartbroken.

The Adelaide Oval will be a quality surface, offering something for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to lead.

Closing Thoughts

Australia recalls how England came from a two-nil deficit to level the last Ashes. They will know England are dangerous.

On this occasion, they have England by the throat and must not let up merely because some big names are returning. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australian side should always think it can win every Test it contests, therefore this squad should be thinking for a 5-0.

England understands they are compelled to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. If they don't, then it really could be 5-0.