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

They were put under the pump by England during the opener in Perth, then pulled off a remarkable reversal.

This propelled them on a wave of confidence going into the second Test, where they gave the English side a masterclass in how to play the longest format, especially pink-ball matches.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, but it's perilously close. Should England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got a close look of England's approach during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Despite all the discussion regarding this trip being their chance to ultimately secure a series down under, existed considerable doubt among Australian pundits concerning the manner England play.

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 Australians who expressed doubts regarding England are being proved validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists a lot I like about England's attitude. I love it when sportspeople play without fear, because that helps them to extend the boundaries of potential.

But I don't like the idea that external pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. The great players thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other to account.

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

Even as a newcomer, I believed I had permission to voice my opinion. Every player assumed responsibility for the squad's performance.

Subsequently, should someone stepped out from the standard, they faced consequences by the other players. If someone made an error repeatedly - an uncommon occurrence frequently - they were told.

The Australian Blueprint

We had some huge personalities - 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 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 accountability, responsibility and flexibility all came together as we walked on to the field as a team.

Certainly, all of these things prove simpler while a side is winning, a scenario England are not doing right now.

A Culture in Question

My concern for England stemmed from the philosophy of a rigid style yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

It was almost that England had concluded pitches must conform to them, instead of England adapting their game to suit the conditions.

Ultimately, in the aftermath of the defeat at the Gabba, it appears the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum conceded problems exist, and they must to do something about it.

I hold no issue with what the England leaders said in public after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even stronger in private meetings.

Evolution Required

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

For all that England have faced criticism, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

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

Nevertheless, Australia pulled off a win at the Gabba with each of their other players rising to the occasion.

Key Performers for Australia

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition 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 from an Australian perspective is the change within the top order.

Before the series, when there seemed to be a lot of debate regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just one question concerning one position - Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

The New Opening Pair

From the moment Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, it appears to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja might face difficulty to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Fitness issues will mean English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood being absent for the third Test and the remainder of the series.

This represents an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I know the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the dedication involved in recovering from injuries, and how desperate both players were to play a full part in this contest. They will be devastated.

Adelaide will be a good pitch, with something in it for batters and bowlers. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to lead.

Closing Thoughts

Australia will remember 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 in a stranglehold and should not relent merely because some big names are returning. They must avoid get complacent.

An Australian side should always think it can win each match it plays, so for that reason this team ought to be aiming for a five-nil whitewash.

England will know they have no choice but to turn things around in Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be 5-0.