Beyond the Aussies' wildest dreams would they have imagined they would be 2-0 up in the current historic rivalry following just a mere six days of play.
They were put under the pump by the tourists during the opener in Perth, before executing a remarkable reversal.
This propelled them on a wave of confidence going into the second Test, where they delivered the English side a lesson on playing Test cricket, especially pink-ball matches.
A Critical Juncture
This series is not dead, but it's perilously close. If England don't win the third Test, it will get deeply humiliating.
I got an intimate view of England's approach during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. For all of the talk regarding this trip representing their opportunity to finally win a victory down under, existed considerable scepticism in this country concerning the manner the English team performs.
Was the English batting lineup be appropriate for the pitches in Australia? Would they play big shots and find ways to lose their wickets? Would they crumble under the pressure during crucial phases?
At present, every one of the Australians who expressed doubts regarding England are being proved right.
Mindset and Responsibility
There is a lot I like regarding England's mindset. I appreciate it when athletes play without fear, as this enables them to extend the limits of potential.
But I don't like the notion that external pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers excel when challenged, and top-tier teams ensure members to account.
"Indeed, there existed support staff such as Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the captain and experienced players who always ran the team environment."
Even when a young player, I believed I was allowed to voice my opinion. Everyone took ownership for the squad's performance.
Subsequently, should someone stepped out from the standard, they were held consequences from their teammates. If an individual committed an error on more than one occasion - which didn't happen frequently - they were told.
The Australian Blueprint
We had some huge personalities - no one more prominent than the great Shane Warne - but we all felt that our actions was for the team and for each other. Opener Matthew Hayden often stated we pulled together due to the affection we shared, so extensive was the amount of time we spent together.
That sense of duty, obligation and flexibility collectively manifested as we walked onto the pitch as a unit.
Admittedly, all of these things are easier when a team is winning, a scenario England are currently not experiencing right now.
A Culture in Question
My worry regarding England was the message of "this is the way we play" yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.
It was almost as if England had concluded conditions had to adapt to their game, rather than England adapting their game to the prevailing conditions.
Finally, in the aftermath of the loss in Brisbane, it appears the penny has dropped.
Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged there are issues, and they must to do something about it.
I have no issue with what the England leaders said in public after the Brisbane Test. Should the captain and coach have been strong publicly, one can be sure they have been even more even stronger in private meetings.
A New Version?
Will we now see a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of competing without fear. If England can add the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they might still possess to something.
For all that England have faced criticism, Australia merits a huge amount for their performance.
If England been informed they would face an Australia team without all of Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with anticipation.
Nevertheless, Australia achieved a win at the Gabba with each of their remaining players rising to the occasion.
Key Performers for Australia
Mitchell Starc has been absolutely outstanding, supported by Neser, Scott Boland and Doggett.
Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I played with Ian Healy and Gilchrist.
Maybe the most significant revelation from an Australian perspective has been the change in the batting order.
Before the series, when it appeared to be a lot of debate regarding Australia's lineup, I said there was essentially just one question about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's batting partner.
That discussion is now resolved, simply not in the manner anyone predicted.
Settling the Order
From the moment Batsman Travis Head volunteered to open following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia have looked 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 might find it tough to get back in, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has indicated he might feature in the middle order.
Injuries and the Adelaide Test
Fitness issues will result in English speedster Mark Wood and Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood will miss the Adelaide Test and the rest of the series.
That is a great shame for both athletes. I know how much hard work it is to bowl fast, the dedication involved in coming back from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to participate fully in this contest. They are surely devastated.
The Adelaide Oval will be a quality surface, offering something for batsmen and bowlers. Australia will undoubtedly reinstate spinner Lyon and it looks like Cummins will be back to lead.
The Final Word
Australia will remember how England recovered from 2-0 down to draw the last Ashes. They are aware England are dangerous.
This time, they hold England in a stranglehold and should not relent merely because some big names are coming back. They cannot becoming overconfident.
An Australian side must always believe it is capable of winning each match it plays, so for that reason this team should be thinking about winning five-nil whitewash.
England understands they have no choice to reverse their fortunes in Adelaide. If they don't, could indeed lead to 5-0.
