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Not in Australia's wildest dreams would they have imagined they'd find themselves leading two-nil in the current historic rivalry following just a mere six days of play.

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by England in the first Test in Perth, then pulled off an incredible reversal.

This propelled them on a wave of confidence going into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave England a lesson in how to play the longest format, especially day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest remains alive, but it's perilously close. If England don't win the third Test, the situation could become deeply humiliating.

I got a close look of England's approach throughout the last Ashes series on English soil. Despite all the discussion about this tour representing their opportunity to finally win a series down under, existed considerable scepticism among Australian pundits concerning the manner the English team performs.

Would England's batting be suited to Australian conditions? Would they play big shots and discover methods to get out? Would they crumble under the pressure during crucial phases?

Right now, all of the Australian observers who were sceptical about England are being proved validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists a lot I admire about England's attitude. I love it when sportspeople play without fear, as this enables them push the limits of potential.

However, I disagree with the idea that pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers thrive under pressure, and top-tier teams hold each other to account.

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

Even when a young player, I believed I had permission to have my say. Every player assumed ownership of the team.

Then, if a player deviated of line, they faced accountable by the other players. If an individual committed an error repeatedly - an uncommon occurrence frequently - they were told.

The Australian Blueprint

We had some huge personalities - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that what we were doing was for the team and for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we united due to the affection we had for each other, such was the duration we had as a group.

That accountability, responsibility and adaptability all came together as we walked on to the field as a team.

Certainly, all of these things prove simpler when a team is winning, which England are not doing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

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

It seemed as if England had concluded conditions had to adapt to their game, instead of the team adjusting their game to suit the conditions.

Ultimately, following the result of the defeat at the Gabba, it appears the penny has dropped.

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

I hold no issue with the statements the English leadership said in public at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright in the media, one can be sure they have been even more forceful in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of playing fearlessly. Provided England can incorporate the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still possess to something.

Despite the fact England have been criticised, Australia merits a huge amount for their performance.

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

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

Australian Standouts

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

Alex Carey put in a flawless exhibition behind the stumps, arguably the finest display of keeping I have witnessed - and I played with Healy and Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation from an Australian perspective has been the shift in the batting order.

Prior to the contest, when it appeared to be a lot of discussion about the Australia line-up, I stated there was essentially just a debate concerning one position - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

The New Opening Pair

From the moment Travis Head stuck his hand up to open when Khawaja got hurt during the Perth Test, Australia has appeared like a different team. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could find it tough to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he could bat in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will result in English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood being absent for the third Test and the rest of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both men. I understand the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the dedication involved in recovering from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to participate fully in this series. They are surely heartbroken.

Adelaide will provide a good pitch, with something in it for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to lead.

Closing Thoughts

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

On this occasion, they have England in a stranglehold and must not relent just because key players are returning. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australia team must always believe it is capable of winning every Test it contests, therefore this squad should be thinking for a 5-0.

England understands they have no choice but to turn things around in Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be a 5-0 series defeat.