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Beyond Australia's wildest dreams could they have believed they would be leading two-nil in the current Ashes series after playing a mere six days of play.

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

It put them riding a crest of confidence going into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a masterclass in how to play the longest format, particularly pink-ball matches.

Series on the Brink

This series remains alive, but it's not far from it. Should England fail to win the Adelaide Test, the situation could become deeply humiliating.

I gained an intimate view at England's style during the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the discussion about this tour representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a victory in Australia, there was a lot of scepticism among Australian pundits about the way England play.

Would England's batting be suited to the pitches in Australia? Would they play big shots and find ways to lose their wickets? Would they crumble when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

At present, every one of the Australians who were sceptical regarding England are being proved validated.

Attitude and Accountability

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

However, I disagree with the notion that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers excel when challenged, and top-tier teams ensure members are accountable.

"Yes, there were the coaches like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, however, it was the skipper and experienced players who always ran the team environment."

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

Subsequently, should someone stepped out 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

Our team contained several dominant characters - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing served the team and for each other. Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together due to the affection we had for each other, so extensive was the duration we had as a group.

That accountability, responsibility and adaptability collectively manifested when we stepped on to the field as a team.

Certainly, all of these things are easier when a team secures victories, a scenario England are not doing at this moment.

Examining the Approach

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

It was almost as if 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 loss at the Gabba, it appears realisation has dawned.

Both Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they need take action about it.

I hold no problems with what the England leaders said in public at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even stronger in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see an evolved form of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I like the element of competing without fear. Provided England can incorporate the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still possess to something.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia merits a huge amount of credit.

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

Nevertheless, Australia pulled off a win at the Gabba with all of their remaining players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered an absolute masterclass with the gloves, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I shared a dressing room with Ian 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 there was considerable discussion about the Australia line-up, I said there was essentially just a debate about one area - Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That debate is now resolved, just not in the manner anyone expected.

Settling the Order

Ever since Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, it appears to be the opportunity for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja might face difficulty to get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature at number five.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will result in England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood being absent for the third Test and the remainder of the series.

That is a great shame for both athletes. I understand the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in recovering from setbacks, and how desperate both players were to play a full part in this contest. They will be heartbroken.

Adelaide will be 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 will remember how England came from a two-nil deficit to level the last Ashes. They are aware England are dangerous.

This time, they hold England in a stranglehold and must not let up merely because key players are coming back. They cannot get complacent.

An Australian side must always believe it is capable of winning every Test it plays, so for that reason this squad 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, could indeed lead to a 5-0 series defeat.