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Beyond Australia's wildest dreams could they have believed they'd find themselves 2-0 up in the current historic rivalry following just a mere six days of play.

They were placed under severe pressure by the tourists during the opener in Perth, then pulled off an incredible reversal.

This propelled them riding a crest of self-belief heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave the English side a lesson in how to play the longest format, especially day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

This series is not dead, but it's not far from it. If England don't win the Adelaide Test, it will get deeply humiliating.

I gained an intimate view of England's approach throughout the 2023 Ashes on English soil. For all of the talk about this tour being their chance to finally win a victory in Australia, existed considerable scepticism in this country about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and find ways to lose their wickets? Might they collapse under the pressure of the big moments?

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

Attitude and Accountability

There is a lot I admire regarding England's mindset. I love it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, because that helps them push the limits of potential.

But I don't like the idea that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. The great players thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other are accountable.

"Yes, there were support staff such as Simpson and John Buchanan, however, it was the captain and experienced players who invariably managed the team environment."

Even when a newcomer, I believed I was allowed to voice my opinion. Every player assumed responsibility of the team.

Subsequently, should someone stepped out of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If someone made an error repeatedly - an uncommon occurrence frequently - they were addressed.

The Australian Blueprint

We had some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing was for the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden often stated 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 collectively manifested as we walked on to the field as a unit.

Admittedly, these factors are easier while a side is winning, a scenario England are not doing right now.

Examining the Approach

My concern regarding England stemmed from the philosophy of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

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

Finally, in the aftermath of the defeat at the Gabba, it looks like the penny has dropped.

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

I have no problems with what the England leaders made publicly at the Gabba. Should the captain and coach have been forthright publicly, you can guarantee they have been even stronger behind closed doors.

Evolution Required

Will we now see an evolved form of their aggressive brand? Like I said, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can add the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still possess a viable formula.

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

Had England had been told they would face an Australian side without all of Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia achieved victory in Brisbane with all of their other players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition with the gloves, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I shared a dressing room with Ian Healy and Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation from an Australian perspective is the change in the batting order.

Before the series, when it appeared there was considerable debate regarding Australia's lineup, I stated there was essentially just a debate concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

The New Opening Pair

Ever since Travis Head volunteered to open following Khawaja's injury in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems there is a chance 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 suggested he could bat at number five.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Fitness issues will result in England's Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood being absent for the Adelaide Test and the remainder of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I know the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in coming back from setbacks, and how eager both would have been to participate fully in this contest. They will be heartbroken.

Adelaide will be a quality surface, with something in it for batters and bowlers alike. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to captain the side.

Closing Thoughts

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

This time, they have England in a stranglehold and should not relent just because key players are coming back. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australian side must always believe it can win each match it contests, therefore this squad should be thinking about winning five-nil whitewash.

England will know they have no choice but to turn things around at Adelaide. Failure to do so, could indeed lead to 5-0.