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The England head coach detested the moniker Bazball from its inception, deeming it overly simplistic and perhaps foreseeing how it might be used as a weapon in the future. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that started with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But McCullum has not helped himself either. Following the crushing defeat at the Gabba, his claim that, if there was an issue, England were 'too prepared' before the day-night Test was akin to trying to put out a bin fire with petrol. It risks becoming his epitaph as national coach if results do not take an upturn.

In a way, one must admire his dedication to the philosophy. While McCullum claims to ignore outside criticism, he will have been acutely aware of an England team often described as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their rivals and they train just as much. Before the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days compared to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Practice

The coach's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his call – the moment he wavered in his conviction that minimal preparation is best. It suggested a significant amount of focus was used up before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's stronghold. While net practice are a chance to iron out skills, they can also become a safety blanket; zero consequence work that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are tight such that pre-series state games were unavailable (with no guarantee, as shown by England playing three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the disregard of domestic red-ball cricket as a valuable experience in general, evidenced by Jacob Bethell's wasted summer.

Match Shortcomings and Strategic Stagnation

Only playing hardens cricketers for the many situations they walk out to face, and it is in this area where England have thus far been found lacking. The issue is not just with the bat – as poor as some of the shot selection has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. No bowler has demonstrated the persistence or control that the otherworldly Australian paceman and his support cast have displayed.

The coach's free-spirit outlook was freeing during its first 12 months, an excellent, well diagnosed solution to eradicate the lethargy that preceded it. The frustration now comes in how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that point – the lack of an second phase to the initial philosophy that has seen form taper off to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Player Focus and Selection Dilemmas

One such player is the wicketkeeper-batter, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on both edges and has dropped two key chances as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your counterpart, the Australian keeper, has just produced a masterful performance.

Based on McCullum's comments after the match, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – as is the case – is that a switch to a traditional Test setting unleashes his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual day-night format now in the past.

Another option is to implement the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand last year by shifting the batsman down to his preferred position as a active middle order player, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and selecting a new No 3. Bethell scored runs for the Lions recently, or perhaps Will Jacks could perform a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

In the end, these changes is perfect, with Australia's better fundamentals having shattered expectations and forced the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.