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Not in the Aussies' wildest dreams could they have believed they would be 2-0 up in the current Ashes series following just only six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off an incredible reversal.

It put them on a wave of self-belief heading into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a lesson in how to play the longest format, especially day-night Test cricket.

Series on the Brink

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

I gained an intimate view of England's approach during the 2023 Ashes on English soil. For all of the talk regarding this trip being their chance to ultimately secure a series in Australia, existed a lot of scepticism 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 lose their wickets? Might they collapse when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

Right now, all of the Australian observers who expressed doubts about England are being proved right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is much I like regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes compete fearlessly, because that helps them to extend the limits of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the idea that external pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. The great players thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other to account.

"Yes, there were support staff like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, however, it was the skipper and senior players who invariably managed the dressing room."

Even as a young player, I felt like I was allowed to voice my opinion. Everyone took ownership of the team.

Subsequently, should someone stepped out of line, they were held consequences by the other players. If someone made an error on more than one occasion - which didn't happen very often - they were told.

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 served the team and our comrades. Opener Matthew Hayden used to say we united because of the love we had for each other, such was the amount of time we had as a group.

That accountability, responsibility and flexibility all came together as we walked on to the field as a team.

Certainly, all of these things are easier when a team is winning, which England are not doing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My concern for England was the message of "this is the way we play" fostered an environment that lacks personal responsibility.

It seemed as if England had concluded pitches must conform to them, rather than the team adjusting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

Ultimately, following the result of the defeat in Brisbane, it appears realisation has dawned.

Both Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum conceded there are issues, and they need to do something about it.

I have no problems with the statements the English leadership made publicly after the Brisbane Test. Should the captain and coach have been strong publicly, you can guarantee they have been even more even stronger in private meetings.

A New Version?

Might we witness a new version of their aggressive brand? Like I said, I like the element of competing without fear. Provided England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and accountability, then they may still possess to something.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia deserve significant credit of credit.

Had England been informed they would face an Australia team without all of their captain Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

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

Key Performers for Australia

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

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

Maybe the most significant discovery from an Australian perspective has been the shift within the top order.

Prior to the contest, when it appeared there was considerable debate regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was only really one question concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

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

Settling the Order

Ever since Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja might face difficulty to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat at number five.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

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

That is a great shame for both athletes. I understand how much hard work required to bowl quickly, the dedication involved in coming back from injuries, and how eager both would have been to participate fully in this series. They are surely devastated.

Adelaide will be a good pitch, with something in it for batters and bowlers. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it seems Cummins will return to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia recalls how England came from a two-nil deficit to draw the last Ashes. They will know England poses a threat.

On this occasion, they have England in a stranglehold and should not relent merely because some big names are coming back. They cannot get complacent.

An Australian side must always believe it is capable of winning every Test it contests, therefore this team ought to be aiming about winning 5-0.

England understands they are compelled but to turn things around at Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be 5-0.