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Brendon McCullum detested the term Bazball from its inception, viewing it as reductive and perhaps anticipating how it could be weaponised in the future. Currently, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that began with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

However McCullum has contributed to the problem either. After the crushing loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' before the day-night Test was akin to trying to put out a bin fire with gasoline. It risks becoming his lasting legacy as England head coach if results do not take an upturn.

In a way, you almost have to admire his dedication to the philosophy. While he claims to block out outside criticism, he must have been acutely aware of an England team often described as freewheeling and underprepared.

The truth, as always, is more nuanced. England enjoy golf just as much during their scheduled breaks as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days compared to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the different seeing conditions.

The Debate of Readiness and Training

The coach's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his call – the moment he wavered in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It suggested a significant amount of mental energy was used up before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. While net practice are a chance to iron out skills, they can also become a safety blanket; zero consequence activity that mainly maintains the reactions quick.

Schedules are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were unavailable (and uncertain value, when you consider England having played three before the whitewash in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the dismissal of county championship cricket as a valuable experience in general, as shown by a young player's wasted summer.

Match Deficiencies and Philosophical Stagnation

Match practice alone hardens cricketers for the various scenarios they encounter, and it is here where England have thus far been found lacking. It is not only with the batting – as poor as some of the decision-making has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. None has demonstrated the patience or discipline that the exceptional Australian paceman and his teammates have delivered.

McCullum's free-spirit outlook was freeing during its first 12 months, an effective, apt remedy to shake off the lethargy that preceded it. The frustration now stems from how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that point – an absence of an upgrade to the initial philosophy that has seen results taper off to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Player Spotlight and Team Decisions

One such player is the wicketkeeper-batter, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on each side of the bat and missed two crucial opportunities with the gloves. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just delivered a masterful display.

Based on the coach's words after the match, England look likely to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a return to a more familiar match environment unleashes his best, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unusual day-night format now out of the way.

Another option is to enact the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand 12 months ago 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 over the weekend, or perhaps an all-rounder could perform a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, none of this is perfect, however Australia's better fundamentals having shattered expectations and pushed the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.