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The England head coach despised the moniker Bazball the moment it emerged, deeming it overly simplistic and maybe anticipating how it could be weaponised in the future. Right now, trailing 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that started with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of Australian jokes.

However McCullum has not helped himself either. Following the gut-wrenching defeat at the Gabba, his insistence that, if there was an issue, England were 'over-prepared' before the day-night Test was like trying to put out a bin fire with petrol. It could become his lasting legacy as national coach if results do not improve.

On one level, you almost have to admire his dedication to the philosophy. As much as he claims to block out outside criticism, he will have been all too aware of an England team increasingly characterised as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as always, is not so simple. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their opponents and they practice equally hard. Before the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink ball and the different seeing conditions.

The Debate of Readiness and Training

The coach's point about being "excessively ready" was that those additional training days were his decision – the moment he wavered in his conviction that less is more. It meant a Test match's worth of focus was expended before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though net practice are a opportunity to iron out skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence work that mainly keeps the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are congested such that pre-series state games were not possible (and uncertain value, when you consider England having played three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the disregard of domestic red-ball cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, as shown by Jacob Bethell's unproductive season.

On-Field Deficiencies and Philosophical Stagnation

Only playing 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 bat – harrowing as some of the shot selection has been – but an attack that seems without a spearhead. No bowler has demonstrated the persistence or discipline that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his support cast have displayed.

The coach's unconventional outlook was liberating during its initial year, an excellent, apt solution to eradicate the lethargy that preceded it. The disappointment now comes in how it has seemingly not evolved past that initial phase – the lack of an upgrade to the original software that has seen form taper off to 14 wins and 14 losses from their most recent matches.

Squad Spotlight and Team Decisions

One such player is Jamie Smith, a gifted player, undoubtedly, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on each side of the bat and missed two crucial opportunities with the gloves. It probably does not help when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just produced a virtuoso display.

Based on the coach's comments in the aftermath, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – similar to the broader situation – is that a switch to a traditional match environment unleashes his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar day-night format now out of the way.

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 preferred position as a busy No. 5 or 6, handing him the gloves, and picking a fresh face at first drop. A young contender made some 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, with Australia's superior basics having destroyed expectations and pushed the team's entire approach into the spotlight.