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Not in Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they would be leading two-nil in the current Ashes series following just a mere six days of cricket.

The hosts were put under the pump by the tourists during the opener at the WACA, before executing a remarkable turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of self-belief heading into the second Test, where they gave England a lesson in how to play the longest format, especially day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

This series remains alive, however, it's perilously close. If England don't win the third Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I gained an intimate view at England's style during the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the discussion regarding this trip being their chance to finally win a victory in Australia, there was considerable doubt in this country concerning the manner the English team performs.

Was the English batting lineup be suited to Australian conditions? Would they attempt big shots and find ways to lose their wickets? Might they collapse when pressure mounted of the big moments?

At present, all of the Australian observers who were sceptical regarding England are being proved right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is a lot I admire regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes play without fear, as this enables them to extend the limits of potential.

However, I disagree with the idea that external pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. The great players excel when challenged, and the best teams ensure members are accountable.

"Yes, there were support staff like Bob Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who always ran the team environment."

Even when a newcomer, I believed I was allowed to have my say. Everyone took ownership of the team.

Then, if a player deviated of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed an error repeatedly - which didn't happen very often - they were addressed.

The Australian Blueprint

We had several dominant characters - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that what we were doing served the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden often stated we united due to the affection we shared, such was the amount of time we spent together.

That accountability, obligation and flexibility collectively manifested as we walked on to the field as a unit.

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

Examining the Approach

My concern for England was the message of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

It was almost as if England had concluded conditions had to adapt to their game, rather than England adapting their game to suit the conditions.

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

Both Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum acknowledged problems exist, and they need take action about it.

I hold no problems with the statements the England leaders said in public after the Brisbane Test. Should the captain and coach have been forthright in the media, you can guarantee they have been even more forceful behind closed doors.

Evolution Required

Might we witness a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I support the element of playing fearlessly. Provided England can add the elements of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still possess a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia merits significant credit of credit.

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

And yet, Australia achieved victory in Brisbane with each of their other players standing up.

Australian Standouts

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

Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition behind the stumps, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I shared a dressing room with Healy and Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation from an Australian perspective is the change within the top order.

Prior to the contest, when there seemed there was considerable debate about the Australia line-up, I stated there was only really one question concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

Settling the Order

From the moment Travis Head volunteered to open following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems there is a chance for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could find it tough to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature in the middle order.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Injuries will result in England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood will miss the Adelaide Test and the remainder of the series.

This represents an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I know how much hard work required to bowl quickly, the dedication that goes into recovering from setbacks, and how eager both players were to participate fully in this series. They will be devastated.

The Adelaide Oval will be a quality surface, with something in it for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it seems Cummins will be back to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia recalls how England recovered 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 relent merely because key players are returning. They must avoid becoming overconfident.

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning every Test it plays, so for that reason this team ought to be aiming about winning five-nil whitewash.

England understands they have no choice to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. If they don't, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.