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Beyond the Aussies' wildest dreams could they have believed they'd find themselves leading two-nil in the current Ashes series after playing a mere six days of play.

The hosts were put under the pump by England during the opener in Perth, before executing an incredible reversal.

It put them riding a crest of confidence going into the second Test, where they gave the English side a lesson on playing Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, but it's not far from it. If England don't win the third Test, it will get deeply humiliating.

I got a close look of England's approach during the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the discussion about this tour representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a victory down under, existed a lot of scepticism among Australian pundits about the way England play.

Would England's batting be appropriate for the pitches in Australia? Would they play aggressive strokes and find ways to get out? Would they crumble when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

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

Attitude and Accountability

There exists much I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when athletes play without fear, as this enables them to extend the boundaries of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the notion that external pressure or expectation needs to be removed. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and the best teams hold each other are accountable.

"Indeed, there existed the coaches like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, however, it was the captain and senior players who always ran the team environment."

Even when a newcomer, I felt like I was allowed to have my say. Every player assumed ownership of the team.

Then, if a player deviated from the standard, they were held consequences by the other players. If someone made a mistake on more than one occasion - an uncommon occurrence frequently - they were told.

A Winning Formula

Our team contained several dominant characters - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions was for 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 duration we had as a group.

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

Certainly, all of these things prove simpler when a team secures victories, which England are currently not experiencing right now.

Examining the Approach

My concern for England was the message of a rigid style yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

It was almost that England had decided conditions had to adapt to their game, instead of the team adjusting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

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

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

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

A New Version?

Might we witness an evolved form of Bazball? Like I said, I like the aspect of competing without fear. Provided England can incorporate the elements of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still be on to something.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia deserve significant credit for their performance.

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

Nevertheless, Australia achieved victory at the Gabba with each of their other players rising to the occasion.

Key Performers for Australia

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

Alex Carey delivered an absolute masterclass with the gloves, arguably the finest display of keeping I've ever seen - and I played with Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant discovery for Australia is the change in the batting order.

Before the series, when there seemed there was considerable discussion regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

The New Opening Pair

From the moment Batsman Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, it appears to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could find it tough to get back in, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

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

That is a great shame for both athletes. I understand the immense effort required to bowl quickly, the effort involved in coming back from injuries, and how eager both would have been to play a full part in this contest. They will be heartbroken.

The Adelaide Oval will provide a good pitch, with something in it for batters and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia recalls how England came from a two-nil deficit to draw the previous series. They will know England are dangerous.

This time, they hold England by the throat and must not let up merely because key players are coming back. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australian side should always think it is capable of winning every Test it contests, therefore this team ought to be aiming about winning 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.