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The 381-run first Ashes Test loss saw the English battered and bruised in the body as well as brutalised in mind. So does the loss represent a standing eight count or indeed a knock-out blow?
The thought of writing off is reactionary after one loss, and disrespectful to an English side renowned for its mental strength as well as its many fightbacks from ignominious performances.
This was seen in India in 2012/13, where they were bollocks in the first match, and exposed as having little redemption, only to see them pull off a Lazarus comeback to win the series 2/1.
The message loud and clear is it is naive to write them off, and do it at your peril.
Extending this comparison to the current series, the Indian comeback was facilitated by the introduction of Monty Panesar, after his inexplicable absence from the first Test.
He formed a spin partnership with Graeme Swann that cut a swathe through the fragile Indian batting, as seen in their defining 37 wickets for the series.
The subplot to this comeback was the conditions so manipulated to upend England, accentuated their rise to prominence, ruthlessly exposing the hosts at the same time.
Lightning will not strike twice in this series, and the English have no Panesar-like ace to bring off the bench to swing the series back in their favour.
In fact, they are losing troops as seen in Jonathan Trott’s sad departure from the tour.
The loss of Trott might not look big, but his omission robs England of their top order rock, as well as forcing the team to find a replacement in the pivotal three position.
Ian Bell is the man for the job, and ultimately, if he strikes form, he could be the one that could incite an English batting fight back.
The downside of inserting Bell at three is the effect felt in the lower-middle order, due to Matt Prior’s dreadful batting form, and depth Tim Bresnan’s absence robs from the batting.
One of Gary Balance, Ben Stokes or Jonny Bairstow will assume this role.
With respect to the three, all are of a speculative nature, and can one see them being successful in the cauldron of an Ashes series, where a bumper assault is the main plot?
Any batting renaissance will revolve around English mindsets changing.
England have built their recent fortress around dour traditional play, where they will back their defensive pedigree to grind down oppositions.
The Aussie tactics of some retro chin music commandeered by Mitchell Johnson and supported by pitches has broken down this batting edict, as seen in Johnson lording it over them, culminating in a meek surrender.
With that humbling experience stored in their memory banks, the question now is whether they can find a way to deal with a lovely bit of nasty old school bowling or take a leap of faith and counter attack.
The next Test in Adelaide, with its traditionally flat pitch, offers a perfect opportunity for this, but can any confidence be invested in England being this proactive and, if yes, being able to pull it off with success?
The diabolical nature of the batting stole all the headlines, but it can be argued the bowling was just as tepid.
Outside of the threat and all round excellence of Stuart Broad, the rest of the attack had all the bite of a trio of gummy Joes, as seen in their match figures of 8/475.
When two of the names are James Anderson and Graeme Swann, a bowling renaissance to support Broad is a distinct possibility.
Going against this is both have struggled mightily in Australian conditions before, making one question whether they can improve.
Taking this a step further is the Australian batting treating Swann with contempt bordering on ridicule, robbing England of one of their trusted strike weapons, but also challenging him in his auxiliary role as a defensive holding bowler.
If the neutralising of Swann continues, a coveted urn changing hemispheres is a very real possibility.
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