England's Must to Triumph in Upcoming Match or Series Will Get Humiliating - Legendary Bowler

Not in Australia's most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be leading two-nil in the current historic rivalry after playing a mere six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by the tourists during the opener in Perth, before executing an incredible reversal.

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

Series on the Brink

The contest remains alive, however, it's perilously close. Should England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got a close look at England's style throughout the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Despite all the discussion regarding this trip representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a series in Australia, existed a lot of scepticism among Australian pundits about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be suited to Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and discover methods to get out? Might they collapse when pressure mounted during crucial phases?

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

Attitude and Accountability

There is a lot I admire about England's attitude. I appreciate it when athletes play without fear, because that helps them push the limits of potential.

But I don't like the idea that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. The great players excel when challenged, and the best teams ensure members to account.

"Yes, there were support staff like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, however, it was the skipper and experienced players who invariably managed the dressing room."

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

Then, if a player deviated from the standard, they were held accountable from their teammates. If an individual committed a mistake repeatedly - which didn't happen very often - they were told.

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 for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden used to say we pulled together 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 on to the field as a unit.

Admittedly, these factors prove simpler while a side secures victories, which England are not doing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My worry for England stemmed from the philosophy of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.

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

Finally, following the result of the defeat at the Gabba, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they must to do something to address them.

I have no problems with what the English leadership said in public after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong publicly, you can guarantee they have been even stronger in private meetings.

A New Version?

Might we witness an evolved form of Bazball? As I mentioned, I like the aspect of playing without fear. If England can incorporate the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still be on a viable formula.

For all that England have faced criticism, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

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

Nevertheless, Australia pulled off a win in Brisbane with each of their remaining players standing up.

Australian Standouts

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

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I played with Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest discovery for Australia is the shift in the batting order.

Before the series, when there seemed there was considerable discussion about the Australia line-up, I stated there was only really one question about one area - Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

Settling the Order

Ever since Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury in Perth, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could face difficulty to get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat at number five.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will mean English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood will miss the Adelaide Test and the rest of the series.

This represents an unfortunate situation for both men. I understand the immense effort required to bowl quickly, the dedication that goes into coming back from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to participate fully in this contest. They will be devastated.

The Adelaide Oval will provide a good pitch, with something in it for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to captain the side.

Closing Thoughts

Australia will remember how England came from 2-0 down to draw the last Ashes. They are aware England poses a threat.

This time, 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 should always think it can win every Test it plays, so for that reason this team should be thinking about winning 5-0.

England will know they have no choice to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. Failure to do so, could indeed lead to a 5-0 series defeat.