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Not in Australia's most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they'd find themselves leading two-nil in the current Ashes series after playing a mere six days of cricket.

The hosts were put under the pump by the tourists in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off a remarkable turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of self-belief going into the Brisbane encounter, where they delivered England a lesson on playing Test cricket, especially day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

This series remains alive, but it's not far from it. If England don't win the Adelaide Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I got an intimate view at England's style during the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the discussion regarding this trip representing their opportunity to finally win a victory down under, existed a lot of doubt among Australian pundits about the way England play.

Was the English batting lineup be suited to Australian conditions? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and find ways to lose their wickets? Might they collapse when pressure mounted of the big moments?

At present, all of the Australians who were sceptical regarding England are seeing their views validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is much I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when sportspeople compete fearlessly, as this enables them to extend the boundaries of what is possible.

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

"Indeed, there existed support staff like Bob Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the captain and senior players who always ran the team environment."

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

Then, if someone stepped out from the standard, they were held accountable by the other players. If an individual committed a mistake on more than one occasion - which didn't happen very often - they were addressed.

The Australian Blueprint

Our team contained some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the legendary Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that our actions served the team and for each other. Matthew Hayden used to say we pulled together due to the affection we shared, such was the amount of time we spent together.

That sense of duty, responsibility and flexibility collectively manifested as we walked on to the field as a unit.

Certainly, all of these things are easier while a side is winning, a scenario England are not doing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My worry regarding England stemmed from the philosophy of a rigid style yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.

It seemed as if England had concluded pitches must conform to them, instead of the team adjusting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

Finally, following the result of the loss at the Gabba, it appears realisation has dawned.

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

I hold no issue 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 forceful in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see a new version of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I like the aspect of playing fearlessly. Provided England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still be on to something.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia deserve significant credit for their performance.

Had England been informed they would play an Australia team without all of their captain Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt rubbing their hands with glee.

And yet, Australia achieved victory in Brisbane with each of their remaining players standing up.

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has been exceptionally brilliant, ably assisted by Michael Neser, Boland and Doggett.

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

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

Before the series, when there seemed there was considerable discussion regarding Australia's lineup, I stated there was only really a debate about one area - Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

Settling the Order

From the moment Travis Head volunteered to open when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. 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 get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he could bat in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

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

This represents an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I know how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the effort 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 quality surface, offering something for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly reinstate spinner Lyon and it seems Cummins will return to captain the side.

Closing Thoughts

Australia will remember how England recovered from a two-nil deficit to draw the previous series. They are aware England are dangerous.

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

An Australian side must always believe it is capable of winning every Test it contests, therefore this squad ought to be aiming about winning five-nil whitewash.

England will know they are compelled but to turn things around in Adelaide. If they don't, could indeed lead to a 5-0 series defeat.