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Brendon McCullum detested the moniker Bazball since it was coined, deeming it overly simplistic and maybe foreseeing how it could be weaponised down the line. Currently, down 2-0 in an away Ashes series that started with high hopes, it has become the butt of Australian jokes.

But McCullum has contributed to the problem either. After the gut-wrenching loss at the Gabba, his insistence that, if there was an issue, England were 'too prepared' before the day-night Test was like attempting to extinguish a rubbish fire with petrol. It risks becoming his lasting legacy as national coach if results do not take an upturn.

In a way, you almost have to admire his commitment to the bit. While McCullum claims to block out external noise, he must have been acutely aware of an England team often described as freewheeling and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is not so simple. England enjoy golf just as much during their necessary down time as their opponents 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 ball and the different lighting conditions.

The Question of Readiness and Training

McCullum's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his call – the instance he blinked in his conviction that minimal preparation is best. It meant a significant amount of focus was expended before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. And though net practice are a chance to iron out technique, they can also become a safety blanket; low-pressure work that simply maintains the reactions quick.

Schedules are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were unavailable (with no guarantee, as shown by England having played three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the dismissal of county championship cricket as a valuable experience more broadly, evidenced by Jacob Bethell's unproductive season.

Match Shortcomings and Philosophical Stagnation

Only playing prepares cricketers for the various scenarios they encounter, 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 leaderless. None has shown the patience or control that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his support cast have delivered.

McCullum's free-spirit outlook was freeing during its first 12 months, an excellent, well diagnosed solution to shake off the lethargy that preceded it. The frustration now comes in how it has apparently not evolved past that initial phase – the lack of an second phase to the initial philosophy that has seen form decline to 14 wins and 14 losses from their most recent matches.

Player Focus and Selection Decisions

One such player is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and missed two key chances as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your counterpart, Alex Carey, has just delivered a virtuoso display.

Going by McCullum's words after the match, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – similar to the broader situation – is that a return to a more familiar match environment unleashes his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar day-night format now out of the way.

The alternative is to implement the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand last year by moving the batsman down to his preferred position as a active middle order player, giving him the gloves, and picking a new No 3. A young contender made some runs for the Lions recently, or maybe an all-rounder could fulfil a similar role to Moeen Ali in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is perfect, however Australia's better fundamentals having shattered expectations and pushed the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.