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Brendon McCullum despised the term Bazball since it was coined, deeming it reductive and maybe anticipating how it might be weaponised down the line. Currently, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that began with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of Australian jokes.

But McCullum has not helped himself either. After the crushing loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' prior to the day-night Test was akin to attempting to extinguish a rubbish fire with petrol. It risks becoming his lasting legacy as national coach if results 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 will have been all too aware of an England team often described as carefree and underprepared.

The truth, as ever, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, logging five days to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink ball and the different lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Training

The coach's point about being "over-prepared" was that those additional training days were his decision – the instance he blinked in his conviction that minimal preparation is best. It meant a significant amount of mental energy was used up before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. And though nets are a chance to iron out technique, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence activity that simply maintains the reactions quick.

Fixtures are congested such that warm-up matches against state sides were unavailable (with 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 Jacob Bethell's unproductive season.

Match Shortcomings and Philosophical Stagnation

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

The coach's free-spirit approach was liberating during its first 12 months, an excellent, well diagnosed solution to shake off the torpor that preceded it. The frustration now comes in how it has seemingly failed to move beyond 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.

Squad Focus and Selection Decisions

Among them is Jamie Smith, a gifted player, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on each side of the bat and missed two crucial opportunities with the gloves. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just delivered a virtuoso display.

Based on the coach's words in the aftermath, 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 top form, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unfamiliar floodlit Test now out of the way.

The alternative is to implement the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand 12 months ago by moving Ollie Pope down to his preferred position as a active middle order player, giving him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a new No 3. Bethell scored runs for the Lions recently, or maybe Will Jacks could perform a similar role to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is perfect, however Australia's better fundamentals having shattered expectations and forced the broader philosophy into the spotlight.