LOOKING back on the first Ashes Test, it was a bit of a surprise.

Australia played fantastic cricket. They were aggressive and positive on a pitch which favoured that type of cricket, on a pitch they’re used to playing on.

I talked previously about Perth being the place where England historically struggle but Brisbane is the other. I didn’t think that they’d struggle as much as they did, however.

Next week in Adelaide the wicket is very much slower with less bounce and more side spin and England should deal better with it. I certainly hope they do.

The Aussies play aggressive cricket and when a team gets on a roll it’s very hard to stop them across an entire fixture.

A lot has been made of Michael Clarke’s comments to Jimmy Anderson in the press but it happens all the time, only in this situation it’s a different proposition because the stump microphones are there and perhaps Clarke should be more aware of that.

It’s been blown out of proportion, in my opinion. There has been a lot said about it in the press and a lot of people seem to have an opinion on it.

I’m sure the last person who would have been bothered by it would be Jimmy Anderson, anyway.

I didn’t think what David Warner said in the press conference was necessary, though. It’s not something I like to see - bringing that personal side of things into a press conference.

Jonathan Trott has flown back home and it’s a difficult situation. I played a little bit with Trotty, although I don’t know him as well as someone like Marcus Trescothick, who went through something similar.

Trott has done the brave thing in fronting up to the situation and putting the team in front of himself. I’m sure he will come back a better player and stronger as and when he comes back.

In the meantime, England have some decisions to make. I think Joe Root can bat at number three.

Ian Bell has been really good at number five and especially at the moment, where the tail has been crumbling a bit, we need that experience against the second new ball.

Root has opened and he can bat at three. Johnny Bairstow is the obvious guy to come in at six but Matt Prior’s place is under a little scrutiny at the moment.

If Trott wasn’t dealing with what he’s dealing with there could have been some calls for change there, but now there’s a need for that experience.

I would go for Bairstow in there and Chris Tremlett looks a little down on pace so it may be worth saving him for Perth and bringing in the extra pace of Steven Finn.