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Beyond the Aussies' most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in this historic rivalry after playing only six days of play.

They were placed under severe pressure by the tourists during the opener at the WACA, then pulled off a remarkable turnaround.

This propelled them on a wave of self-belief going into the second Test, where they delivered England a lesson in how to play Test cricket, especially day-night Test cricket.

Series on the Brink

The contest is not dead, however, it's not far from it. Should England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got an intimate view at England's style during the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the discussion about this tour representing their opportunity to finally win a series in Australia, existed considerable 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 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.

Attitude and Accountability

There exists a lot I like about England's attitude. I appreciate it when sportspeople play without fear, because that helps them to extend the boundaries of potential.

But I don't like the notion that pressure or high expectations should be eliminated. The great players excel when challenged, and the best teams ensure members are accountable.

"Yes, there were support staff like Bob Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the skipper and senior players who always ran the dressing room."

Even as a young player, I felt like I was allowed to have my say. Every player assumed ownership for the squad's performance.

Then, if someone stepped out of line, they faced accountable from their teammates. If someone made a mistake on more than one occasion - which didn't happen very often - they were told.

A Winning Formula

Our team contained some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing served the team and our comrades. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together due to the affection we had for each other, so extensive was the amount of time we had as a group.

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

Admittedly, these factors are easier when a team secures victories, which England are currently not experiencing right now.

A Culture in Question

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

It seemed that England had decided conditions had to adapt to their game, instead of the team adjusting their game to the prevailing conditions.

Ultimately, following the result of the loss in Brisbane, it looks like the penny has dropped.

Both Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged problems exist, and they must take action about it.

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

A New Version?

Might we witness an evolved form of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can incorporate the elements of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still be on to something.

Despite the fact England have faced criticism, Australia deserve significant credit of credit.

Had England been informed they would face an Australian side without all of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have felt delighted with glee.

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

Australian Standouts

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

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

Perhaps the biggest revelation for Australia is the shift within the top order.

Before the series, when there seemed there was considerable discussion regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just one question concerning one position - Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

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

The New Opening Pair

Ever since Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt during the Perth Test, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems to be the opportunity for Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the opening pair.

Khawaja might face difficulty to get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Injuries will mean England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood being absent for the Adelaide Test and the remainder of the series.

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

The Adelaide Oval will be a quality surface, with something in it for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly reinstate spinner 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 previous series. They are aware England poses a threat.

This time, they hold England by the throat and should not let up merely because some big names are returning. They cannot becoming overconfident.

An Australian side should always think it is capable of winning every Test it plays, so for that reason this team should be thinking about winning five-nil whitewash.

England will know they have no choice but to turn things around in Adelaide. Failure to do so, could indeed lead to 5-0.