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Not in the Aussies' wildest dreams would they have imagined they would be leading two-nil in the current historic rivalry after playing a mere six days of cricket.

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by England during the opener in Perth, before executing an incredible turnaround.

It put them riding a crest of self-belief going 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. Should England fail to win the Adelaide Test, it will get embarrassing.

I got an intimate view of England's approach throughout the last Ashes series on English soil. For all of the talk regarding this trip being their chance to ultimately secure a series in Australia, there was considerable scepticism in this country about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and discover methods to get out? Would they crumble under the pressure of the big moments?

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

Mindset and Responsibility

There exists much I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when sportspeople play without fear, as this enables them push the boundaries of what is possible.

But I don't like the notion that external pressure or expectation should be eliminated. The great players excel when challenged, and the best teams hold each other are accountable.

"Indeed, there existed support staff such as Simpson and John Buchanan, but it was the captain and experienced players who always ran the team environment."

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

Subsequently, should someone stepped out from the standard, they faced accountable from their teammates. If someone made an error repeatedly - which didn't happen frequently - they were told.

A Winning Formula

We had several dominant characters - no one more prominent than the legendary Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing served the team and for each other. Matthew Hayden used to say we pulled together because of the love we shared, such was the duration we had as a group.

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

Admittedly, these factors are easier when a team is winning, which England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

A Culture in Question

My worry for England was the message of a rigid style fostered an environment that lacks accountability.

It was almost that England had concluded pitches must conform to them, instead of England adapting their strategy to the prevailing conditions.

Ultimately, in the aftermath of the defeat in Brisbane, it appears the penny has dropped.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum conceded problems exist, 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 even more even stronger behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Might we witness a new version of their aggressive brand? As I mentioned, I like the element of competing fearlessly. Provided England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still be on a viable formula.

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

Had England had been told they would face an Australian side without all of their captain Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, they would have been delighted with glee.

And yet, Australia achieved a win at the Gabba with all of their other players rising to the occasion.

Australian Standouts

Pacer Mitchell Starc has proven absolutely outstanding, supported by Neser, Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey put in a flawless exhibition with the gloves, arguably the finest wicketkeeping performance I have witnessed - and I played with Healy and Gilchrist.

Perhaps the biggest revelation from an Australian perspective is the change within the top order.

Before the series, when it appeared to be a lot of debate regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just a debate about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.

That debate has been settled, simply not in the manner anyone expected.

Settling the Order

From the moment Travis Head volunteered to bat as an opener when Khawaja got hurt in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, there seems there is a chance for Travis 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 indicated he might feature in the middle order.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Fitness issues will mean English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood will miss the third Test and the rest of the series.

That is a great shame for both men. I understand how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in coming back from setbacks, and how desperate both players were to play a full part in this contest. They are surely heartbroken.

Adelaide will be a good pitch, offering something for batters and bowlers. Australia will certainly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to lead.

The Final Word

Australia will remember how England recovered from 2-0 down to draw the last Ashes. They will know England are dangerous.

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

An Australian side must always believe it is capable of winning every Test it contests, therefore this squad should be thinking for a five-nil whitewash.

England will know they have no choice to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. If they don't, could indeed lead to a 5-0 series defeat.