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Brendon McCullum detested the moniker Bazball the moment it emerged, viewing it as reductive and perhaps foreseeing how it could be used as a weapon down the line. Currently, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that started with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of Australian jokes.

But the coach has contributed to the problem either. Following the crushing loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if there was an issue, England were 'too prepared' prior to the day-night Test was akin to 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 commitment to the bit. While McCullum says he block out external noise, he must have been all too aware of an England team often described as freewheeling and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their rivals and they train just as much. Prior to the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, logging five days compared to Australia's three, due to their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the different seeing conditions.

The Question of Preparation and Practice

The coach's point about being "over-prepared" was that those additional training days were his decision – the moment he blinked in his belief that less is more. It suggested a Test match's worth of mental energy was expended before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. While net practice are a chance to refine technique, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure activity that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Fixtures are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (with no guarantee, as shown by England playing three before the whitewash in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the disregard of domestic red-ball cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, evidenced by Jacob Bethell's unproductive season.

On-Field Deficiencies and Philosophical Lack of Evolution

Only playing hardens cricketers for the many situations they encounter, and it is here where England have thus far fallen well short. The issue is not just with the bat – as poor as some of the decision-making has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. None has demonstrated the persistence or control that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his teammates have displayed.

McCullum's free-spirit approach was freeing during its initial year, an excellent, apt remedy to eradicate the lethargy that came before. The frustration now comes in how it has apparently failed to move beyond that initial phase – the lack of an upgrade to the initial philosophy that has seen form decline to 14 wins and 14 losses from their last 30 Tests.

Squad Spotlight and Team Dilemmas

Among them is the wicketkeeper-batter, a talent, no question, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on each side of the bat and missed two crucial opportunities as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your counterpart, Alex Carey, has just produced a virtuoso display.

Based on the coach's words after the match, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – similar to the broader situation – is that a switch to a more familiar match environment unleashes his top form, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unusual floodlit Test now in the past.

Another option is to implement the plan stumbled across during the series win in New Zealand last year by shifting Ollie Pope down to his more natural home as a busy No. 5 or 6, giving him the gloves, and selecting a new No 3. A young contender made some runs for the Lions recently, or maybe an all-rounder could perform a comparable function to Moeen Ali in 2023.

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