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Not in Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they would be leading two-nil in this historic rivalry after playing a mere six days of play.

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test at the WACA, before executing a remarkable turnaround.

This propelled them riding a crest of confidence heading into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a masterclass in how to play Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

This series is not dead, however, it's perilously close. If England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got an intimate view at England's style during the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the talk regarding this trip representing their opportunity to finally win a series down under, there was considerable doubt among Australian pundits concerning the manner England play.

Was the English batting lineup be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and find ways to lose their wickets? Would they crumble when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

Right now, every one of the Australians who expressed doubts about England are being proved right.

Attitude and Accountability

There is a lot I admire regarding England's mindset. I love it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, as this enables them to extend the limits of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the notion that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. The great players excel when challenged, and top-tier teams hold each other are accountable.

"Indeed, there existed the coaches such as Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who invariably managed the dressing room."

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

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

The Australian Blueprint

We had some huge personalities - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that our actions was for the team and our comrades. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we united due to the affection we had for each other, such was the amount of time we spent together.

That sense of duty, responsibility and flexibility all came together when we stepped onto the pitch as a unit.

Admittedly, these factors are easier when a team is winning, which England are not doing right now.

Examining the Approach

My concern regarding England was the message of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture deficient in personal responsibility.

It seemed that England had concluded pitches must conform to them, instead of the team adjusting their game to the prevailing conditions.

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

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

I have no issue with what the England leaders made publicly at the Gabba. Should the captain and coach have been forthright in the media, one can be sure they have been even more even stronger behind closed doors.

Evolution Required

Will we now see an evolved form of Bazball? As I mentioned, I like the aspect of playing without fear. Provided England can incorporate the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still possess to something.

For all that England have faced criticism, Australia deserve significant credit of credit.

Had England been informed they would face an Australia team lacking Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia pulled off victory in Brisbane with each of their other players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, supported by Neser, 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 played with Ian Healy and Adam 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 discussion about the Australia line-up, I stated there was only really a debate about one area - Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That discussion is now resolved, simply not in the manner anyone expected.

The New Opening Pair

From the moment Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, it appears there is a chance for Travis 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 at number five.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Fitness issues will mean England's Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood will miss the third Test and the rest of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both men. I understand how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the dedication involved in coming back from injuries, and how desperate both would have been to participate fully in this series. They will be devastated.

The Adelaide Oval will be a quality surface, offering something for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will certainly 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 last Ashes. They will know England poses a threat.

This time, they hold England in a stranglehold and must not let up just because some big names are returning. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australian side should always think it is capable of winning every Test it plays, therefore this team ought to be aiming about winning five-nil whitewash.

England understands they have no choice but to turn things around in Adelaide. If they don't, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.