Follow UsIt took just two days for Australia to get the job done against England in the opening Ashes Test in Perth. An attacking century from Travis Head saw the hosts chase down 205 with ease and go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
While there is plenty of time for England to turn things around, former captain Michael Vaughan does not seem too confident about the prospects.
"Already, they are at the point where they cannot afford to get it wrong again. I hope they prove me wrong, but I would be amazed if they turn it round from here," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.
"What hurts fans is that there have been teams England have brought to Australia where I've thought even if they play at 120 percent, they are going to lose. The Aussies were just better. This is not one of those teams.
"Ben Stokes' side has almost everything required, except world-class spin and a killer instinct. As quickly as they get ahead, they fall behind."
Vaughan stressed on the fact that England's preparation for a series of this magnitude was far from ideal. "I go back to the preparation ... you cannot tell me the batsmen were at all ready for the rigours of batting in Perth," he wrote.
"They will say 'you wouldn't understand, it's the modern game'. Nonsense. It's ridiculous to suggest that an intra-squad game on a featherbed at Lilac Hill, then batting for three days on bouncy nets gets you ready. In the nets, there are no fielders. You don't see the keeper take the ball above his head."
Ahead of the second Test in Brisbane, England have a chance to play a pink-ball warm-up match in Canberra, which Ben Stokes has confirmed none from the 12 from the first Test would participate. The day-night Test will begin from December 4 onwards.