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Not in Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they'd find themselves 2-0 up in this historic rivalry following just only six days of play.

They were put under the pump by England in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off an incredible reversal.

This propelled them on a wave of confidence heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave the English side a lesson on playing Test cricket, particularly pink-ball matches.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, but it's perilously close. Should England fail to win the Adelaide Test, the situation could become deeply humiliating.

I gained an intimate view of England's approach during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. For all of the talk about this tour representing their opportunity to finally win a series down under, there was a lot of scepticism in this country concerning the manner the English team performs.

Would England's batting be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and find ways to get out? Would they crumble under the pressure of the big moments?

At present, every one of the Australian observers who were sceptical regarding England are seeing their views right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists a lot I admire regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes play without fear, because that helps them to extend the limits of potential.

But I don't like the idea that pressure or expectation needs to be removed. Elite performers excel when challenged, and top-tier teams ensure members are accountable.

"Indeed, there existed support staff such as Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the captain and senior players who always ran the dressing room."

Even as a young player, I believed I was allowed 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 addressed.

A Winning Formula

Our team contained 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 used to say we united because of the love we shared, such was the duration we spent together.

That accountability, responsibility and adaptability all came together when we stepped onto the pitch as a team.

Admittedly, all of these things are easier while a side secures victories, which England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My worry regarding England stemmed from the philosophy of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

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

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

Captain Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum conceded problems exist, and they need to do something about it.

I have no problems with what the English leadership 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 even stronger in private meetings.

A New Version?

Might we witness an evolved form of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can add the ingredients of pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still possess a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have faced criticism, Australia deserve significant credit for their performance.

If England been informed they would face an Australian side lacking Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with glee.

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

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has proven exceptionally brilliant, supported by Neser, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass with the gloves, possibly the best display of keeping I've ever seen - and I played with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant revelation from an Australian perspective is the change in the batting order.

Before the series, when it appeared there was considerable discussion about the Australia line-up, I said there was only really a debate concerning one position - Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That debate has been settled, just not in the manner anyone expected.

Settling the Order

From the moment Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia have looked transformed. Now, there seems there is a chance for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja could face difficulty to regain his place, although Australia coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Fitness issues will mean English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood being absent for the Adelaide Test and the rest of the series.

This represents a great shame for both athletes. I understand the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the dedication involved in recovering from setbacks, and how eager both players were to participate fully in this series. They are surely heartbroken.

Adelaide will be a good pitch, with something in it for batsmen and bowlers alike. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it seems Cummins will be back to lead.

The Final Word

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

On this occasion, they have England in a stranglehold and should not relent just because some big names are coming back. They cannot get complacent.

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning each match it contests, so for that reason this team ought to be aiming for a five-nil whitewash.

England understands they are compelled to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.