The English Must to Win Next Test or Ashes Will Get Embarrassing - McGrath

Beyond the Aussies' most optimistic hopes would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in the current historic rivalry following just only six days of cricket.

They were placed under severe pressure by the tourists in the first Test at the WACA, before executing an incredible reversal.

It put them riding a crest of confidence going into the Brisbane encounter, where they delivered England a masterclass on playing Test cricket, particularly day-night Test cricket.

Series on the Brink

The contest is not dead, but it's perilously close. If England fail to win the third Test, it will get embarrassing.

I gained a close look of England's approach throughout the last Ashes series in the UK. Despite all the discussion regarding this trip representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a victory in Australia, there was considerable scepticism among Australian pundits concerning the manner England play.

Would England's batting be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they attempt aggressive strokes and find ways to get out? Might they collapse under the pressure of the big moments?

Right now, all of the Australian observers who expressed doubts regarding England are seeing their views right.

Attitude and Accountability

There is much I like regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes play without fear, as this enables them to extend the limits of potential.

However, I disagree with the notion that external pressure or expectation should be eliminated. Elite performers excel when challenged, and top-tier teams hold each other are accountable.

"Yes, there were the coaches such as Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the skipper and experienced players who always ran the team environment."

Even as a young player, I felt like I was allowed to voice my opinion. Everyone took responsibility for the squad's performance.

Subsequently, should a player deviated from the standard, they faced consequences 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 - none bigger than the great Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing served the team and for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden used to say 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, responsibility and adaptability all came together when we stepped on to the field as a team.

Admittedly, these factors prove simpler when a team is winning, a scenario England are not doing right now.

A Culture in Question

My concern for England was the message of a rigid style yielded a culture deficient in accountability.

It was almost as if England had concluded conditions had to adapt to them, instead of England adapting their game to suit the conditions.

Finally, in the aftermath of the defeat in Brisbane, it appears realisation has dawned.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they must to do something about it.

I hold no issue with the statements the English leadership made publicly after the Brisbane Test. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong publicly, you can guarantee they have been even stronger behind closed doors.

A New Version?

Might we witness an evolved form of their aggressive brand? Like I said, I like the element of playing fearlessly. If England can incorporate the ingredients of embracing pressure and accountability, then they may still be on a viable formula.

Despite the fact England have faced criticism, Australia deserve significant credit for their performance.

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

Nevertheless, Australia pulled off victory at the Gabba with each of their remaining players standing up.

Australian Standouts

Mitchell Starc has been exceptionally brilliant, supported by Neser, Boland and Doggett.

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

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

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

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

Settling the Order

From the moment Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury in Perth, Australia have looked like a different team. Now, it appears there is a chance for Head and Jake Weatherald to cement themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja might face difficulty to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature in the middle order.

Injuries and the Adelaide Test

Fitness issues will mean England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood will miss the third Test and the rest of the series.

This represents an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I understand the immense effort it is to bowl fast, the effort involved in coming back from injuries, and how eager both would have been to participate fully in this series. They will be heartbroken.

The Adelaide Oval will be a good pitch, with something in it for batters and bowlers alike. Australia will undoubtedly recall Lyon and it looks like Cummins will return to captain the side.

The Final Word

Australia will remember how England came from a two-nil deficit to level the last Ashes. They will know England poses a threat.

On this occasion, they have England by the throat and must not let up just because key players are coming back. They must avoid becoming overconfident.

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning every Test it plays, so for that reason this squad ought to be aiming for a five-nil whitewash.

England will know 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.