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Beyond the Aussies' most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they'd find themselves leading two-nil in the current Ashes series after playing only six days of play.

The hosts were put under the pump by England in the first Test in Perth, before executing an incredible turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of self-belief heading into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave the English side a lesson on playing the longest format, particularly pink-ball matches.

Series on the Brink

The contest is not dead, however, it's perilously close. If England fail to win the Adelaide Test, it will get deeply humiliating.

I gained an intimate view at England's style during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Despite all the talk about this tour being their chance to ultimately secure a victory down under, existed a lot of scepticism among Australian pundits concerning the manner the English team performs.

Would England's batting be suited to the pitches in Australia? Would they play big shots and discover methods to get out? Would they crumble when pressure mounted of the big moments?

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

Attitude and Accountability

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

However, I disagree with the notion that external pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. Elite performers excel when challenged, and the best teams hold each other to account.

"Indeed, there existed support staff like Bob Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the skipper and senior players who invariably managed the dressing room."

Even when a young player, I felt like I was allowed to have my say. Every player assumed ownership of the team.

Then, if someone stepped out from the standard, they were held consequences by the other players. If someone made an error on more than one occasion - an uncommon occurrence frequently - 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 our actions served the team and our comrades. Opener Matthew Hayden used to say we united due to the affection we had for each other, so extensive was the duration we spent together.

That accountability, obligation and adaptability collectively manifested when we stepped onto the pitch as a unit.

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

A Culture in Question

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

It was almost as if England had concluded pitches must conform to their game, instead of England adapting their game to the prevailing conditions.

Finally, in the aftermath of the defeat in Brisbane, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum conceded problems exist, and they must take action to address them.

I hold no problems with the statements the English leadership made publicly after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been forthright publicly, one can be sure they have been forceful behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Might we witness a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of competing without fear. Provided England can add the ingredients of pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still possess a viable formula.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia merits a huge amount of credit.

If England had been told they would play an Australia team without all of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

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

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, supported by Neser, Scott Boland and Doggett.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in a flawless exhibition behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I shared a dressing room with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.

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

Before the series, when it appeared to be a lot of debate about the Australia line-up, I stated there was essentially just one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That debate has been settled, simply not in a way anyone expected.

The New Opening Pair

Ever since Batsman Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, it appears to be the opportunity for Travis 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 suggested he could bat in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

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

This represents a great shame for both athletes. I know how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in coming back from injuries, and how desperate both would have been to play a full part in this contest. They will be devastated.

The Adelaide Oval will provide a quality surface, offering something for batters and bowlers alike. 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 2-0 down to level the last Ashes. They will know England are dangerous.

On this occasion, they hold England in a stranglehold and must not let up merely because key players are coming back. They must avoid get complacent.

An Australian side must always believe it can win each match it plays, so for that reason this squad should be thinking about winning five-nil whitewash.

England understands they have no choice to reverse their fortunes at Adelaide. If they don't, could indeed lead to 5-0.