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Beyond Australia's most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in this Ashes series after playing only six days of cricket.

They were put under the pump by England in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off a remarkable turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of self-belief heading into the second Test, where they gave the English side a lesson on playing Test cricket, especially day-night Test cricket.

Series on the Brink

The contest remains alive, but it's perilously close. If England fail to win the Adelaide Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I got a close look at England's style during the 2023 Ashes on English soil. Despite all the discussion regarding this trip representing their opportunity to finally win a victory down under, there was considerable scepticism among Australian pundits concerning the manner England play.

Was the English batting lineup be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and discover methods to get out? Might they collapse under the pressure of the big moments?

Right now, all of the Australian observers who were sceptical about England are seeing their views validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

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

But I don't like the idea that pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. The great players excel when challenged, and top-tier teams hold each other are accountable.

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

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

Subsequently, should someone stepped out from the standard, they were held accountable by the other players. If an individual committed an error on more than one occasion - an uncommon occurrence very often - they were told.

The Australian Blueprint

We had some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the legendary Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that our actions was for the team and for each other. Matthew Hayden used to say we united because of the love we shared, so extensive was the duration we spent together.

That accountability, responsibility and adaptability all came together when we stepped on to the field as a team.

Admittedly, these factors prove simpler while a side secures victories, a scenario England are currently not experiencing right now.

A Culture in Question

My concern regarding England stemmed from the philosophy of "this is the way we play" fostered an environment deficient in accountability.

It seemed that England had concluded conditions had to adapt to them, instead of the team adjusting their strategy to suit the conditions.

Finally, in the aftermath of the loss at the Gabba, it looks like realisation has dawned.

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

I hold no problems with the statements the English leadership said in public 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 in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I support the aspect of competing without fear. Provided England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still possess a viable formula.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

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

And yet, Australia achieved victory at the Gabba with each of their remaining players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has proven absolutely outstanding, ably assisted by Neser, Boland and Brendan Doggett.

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

Perhaps the biggest discovery from an Australian perspective has been the shift in the batting order.

Before the series, when it appeared to be a lot of discussion regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That discussion is now resolved, just not in the manner anyone predicted.

The New Opening Pair

Ever since Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to open following Khawaja's injury 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 opening pair.

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

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will mean English speedster 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 dedication involved in recovering from injuries, and how eager both players were to participate fully in this contest. They are surely devastated.

Adelaide will provide a good pitch, offering something for batters and bowlers. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it seems Cummins will return to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia will remember how England recovered from a two-nil deficit to level the last Ashes. They are aware England poses a threat.

On this occasion, they hold England by the throat and should not relent merely because some big names are returning. They cannot get complacent.

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

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