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The England head coach detested the term Bazball from its inception, viewing it as overly simplistic and maybe anticipating how it could be weaponised down the line. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with high hopes, it has turned into the subject of Australian jokes.

But McCullum has contributed to the problem either. Following the crushing loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' before the pink-ball match was like trying to put out a rubbish fire with gasoline. It risks becoming his lasting legacy as national coach if performances do not improve.

On one level, one must admire his dedication to the philosophy. While he claims to block out outside criticism, he must have been acutely aware of an England team increasingly characterised as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is not so simple. England play as much golf during their scheduled breaks as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, completing five days to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in seeing conditions.

The Question of Readiness and Practice

McCullum's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his call – the moment he blinked in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It suggested a Test match's worth of mental energy was used up before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though nets are a opportunity to iron out skills, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure work that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (and uncertain value, when you consider England playing three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the dismissal of domestic red-ball cricket as a valuable experience more broadly, as shown by a young player's wasted summer.

On-Field Deficiencies and Strategic Stagnation

Only playing hardens 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 batting – as poor as some of the shot selection has been – but an attack that seems without a spearhead. No bowler has demonstrated the patience or discipline that the exceptional Australian paceman and his support cast have delivered.

The coach's free-spirit approach was liberating during its initial year, an excellent, apt remedy to eradicate the torpor that preceded it. The frustration now comes in how it has apparently failed to move beyond that initial phase – the lack of an upgrade to the original software that has seen results taper off to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Player Focus and Selection Decisions

One such player is Jamie Smith, a gifted player, undoubtedly, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on both edges and missed two key chances with the gloves. The situation is not aided when your counterpart, Alex Carey, has just produced a masterful display.

Going by the coach's words after the match, England appear set to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – similar to the broader situation – is that a return to a traditional match environment unleashes his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual floodlit Test now in the past.

Another option 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 active middle order player, giving him the gloves, and selecting a new No 3. Bethell made some runs for the Lions over the weekend, or perhaps an all-rounder could fulfil a similar role to Moeen Ali in 2023.

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