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Beyond Australia's most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they'd find themselves 2-0 up in the current historic rivalry after playing a mere six days of play.

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by England during the opener in Perth, then pulled off a remarkable reversal.

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

A Critical Juncture

This series is not dead, but it's perilously close. Should England don't win the third Test, the situation could become deeply humiliating.

I got an intimate view of England's approach throughout the last Ashes series in the UK. For all of the discussion about this tour being their chance to ultimately secure a series down under, there was a lot of doubt in this country about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be appropriate for the pitches in Australia? Would they play big shots and discover methods to lose their wickets? Would they crumble when pressure mounted of the big moments?

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

Mindset and Responsibility

There is much I like regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes compete fearlessly, because that helps them to extend the limits of what is possible.

However, I disagree with the notion that pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. The great players thrive under pressure, and the best teams hold each other to account.

"Indeed, there existed support staff such as Simpson and Buchanan, however, it was the captain and senior players who invariably managed the team environment."

Even when a newcomer, I believed I had permission to have my say. Everyone took ownership for the squad's performance.

Then, if someone stepped out of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed a mistake on more than one occasion - an uncommon occurrence frequently - they were told.

A Winning Formula

We had some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions was for the team and for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together because of the love we shared, such was the duration we spent together.

That sense of duty, obligation and adaptability collectively manifested as we walked onto the pitch as a team.

Certainly, all of these things prove simpler while a side is winning, a scenario England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My concern for England was the message of a rigid style yielded a culture that lacks accountability.

It was almost that England had concluded conditions had to adapt to them, rather than England adapting their game to the prevailing 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 need take action about it.

I have no problems with what the England leaders said in public at the Gabba. Should the captain and coach have been forthright in the media, one can be sure they have been forceful behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Will we now see a new version of Bazball? As I mentioned, I support the aspect of playing without fear. If England can incorporate the elements of pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still be on to something.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia merits a huge amount for their performance.

If England been informed they would play an Australian side lacking Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia pulled off victory at the Gabba with all of their other players rising to the occasion.

Key Performers for Australia

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in a flawless exhibition behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I played with Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation for Australia has been the change in the batting order.

Before the series, when it appeared to be a lot of discussion about the Australia line-up, I stated there was essentially just a debate concerning one position - Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

Settling the Order

Ever since Batsman Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt during the Perth Test, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems there is a chance for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the first-wicket duo.

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

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Fitness issues will mean England's Mark Wood and Australian seamer 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 involved in coming back from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to play a full part in this series. They will be devastated.

Adelaide will be a quality surface, with something in it for batsmen 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 recovered from a two-nil deficit to draw the previous series. They are aware England poses a threat.

On this occasion, they hold England by the throat and should not let up merely because key players are coming back. They must avoid get complacent.

An Australian side must always believe it is capable of winning each match it contests, so for that reason this squad ought to be aiming about winning five-nil whitewash.

England understands they have no choice to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. Failure to do so, could indeed lead to 5-0.