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Brendon McCullum detested the term Bazball the moment it emerged, considering it overly simplistic and maybe foreseeing how it could be weaponised down the line. Currently, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that began with great expectations, it has become the butt of mockery from Australia.

But the coach has contributed to the problem either. Following the crushing loss at the Gabba, his insistence that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' prior to the pink-ball match was akin to trying to put out a bin fire with gasoline. It risks becoming his epitaph as England head coach if performances do not improve.

On one level, you almost have to admire his commitment to the bit. While McCullum says he block out outside criticism, he must have been acutely aware of an England team increasingly characterised as carefree and lacking preparation.

The truth, as always, 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 to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in lighting conditions.

The Debate of Readiness and Training

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his call – the instance he wavered in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It meant a significant amount of focus was used up before they even took the field in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. While nets are a chance to refine technique, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence work that simply keeps the reactions quick.

Schedules are congested such that pre-series state games were not possible (and uncertain value, when you consider England playing three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). More difficult to justify is the disregard of county championship cricket as a worthwhile exercise more broadly, evidenced by a young player's unproductive season.

On-Field Deficiencies and Strategic Stagnation

Match practice alone prepares cricketers for the various scenarios they walk out to face, and it is in this area where England have so far fallen well short. 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 shown the patience or discipline that the exceptional Australian paceman and his support cast have displayed.

McCullum's free-spirit outlook was liberating during its initial year, an excellent, apt solution to shake off the torpor that came before. The frustration now stems from how it has seemingly not evolved past that point – the lack of an upgrade to the original software that has seen form decline to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Player Spotlight and Selection Decisions

One such player is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and has dropped two crucial opportunities as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just delivered a masterful display.

Going by the coach'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 triggers his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual floodlit Test now in the past.

The alternative is to implement the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand last year by shifting Ollie Pope down to his preferred position as a busy middle order player, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a new No 3. Bethell made some runs for the Lions recently, or perhaps an all-rounder could perform a similar role to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is ideal, however Australia's superior basics having destroyed expectations and pushed the broader philosophy into the harsh glare of scrutiny.