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

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by the tourists in the first Test in Perth, before executing an incredible turnaround.

It put them on a wave of confidence heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave the English side a lesson on playing the longest format, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest is not dead, but it's perilously close. Should England fail to win the third Test, it will get deeply humiliating.

I gained a close look of England's approach throughout the 2023 Ashes on English soil. For all of the discussion regarding this trip representing their opportunity to finally win a series in Australia, there was considerable doubt among Australian pundits about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be suited to Australian conditions? Would they play aggressive strokes and find ways to get out? Would they crumble when pressure mounted of the big moments?

Right now, every one of the Australian observers who expressed doubts regarding England are seeing their views right.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is a lot I admire about England's attitude. I appreciate it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, as this enables them push the limits of potential.

But I don't like the notion that external pressure or expectation should be eliminated. The great players thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other are accountable.

"Yes, there were the coaches such as Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who invariably managed the dressing room."

Even when a newcomer, I believed I had permission to have my say. Every player assumed 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 a mistake repeatedly - which didn't happen frequently - they were addressed.

A Winning Formula

We had several dominant characters - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions was for the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden often stated we united due to the affection we had for each other, so extensive was the amount of time we had as a group.

That sense of duty, obligation and adaptability collectively manifested when we stepped on to the field as a team.

Certainly, all of these things are easier when a team is winning, 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" yielded a culture that lacks accountability.

It seemed that England had decided conditions had to adapt to their game, rather than England adapting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

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

Captain Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum conceded there are issues, and they must take action about it.

I have no problems with the statements the English leadership made publicly after the Brisbane Test. Should the captain and coach have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even more forceful behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Might we witness a new version of Bazball? As I mentioned, I like the aspect of competing fearlessly. If England can add the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still be on to something.

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

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

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

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has proven absolutely outstanding, ably assisted by Michael Neser, 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 shared a dressing room with Healy and Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest discovery for Australia has been the shift within the top order.

Before the series, when it appeared there was considerable debate about the Australia line-up, I stated there was essentially just one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That debate is now resolved, simply not in a way anyone expected.

The New Opening Pair

From the moment Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to open following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia has appeared transformed. Now, it appears there is a chance for Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja might face difficulty to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature at number five.

Absences and the Next Challenge

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

That is a great shame for both athletes. I know the immense effort required to bowl quickly, the dedication that goes into coming back from injuries, and how eager both players were to play a full part in this contest. They are surely devastated.

The Adelaide Oval will provide a quality surface, with something in it for batters and bowlers alike. Australia will certainly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to lead.

The Final Word

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

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

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning every Test it plays, so for that reason this team should be thinking for a 5-0.

England will know they are compelled to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. Failure to do so, could indeed lead to 5-0.