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Brendon McCullum detested the term Bazball the moment it emerged, viewing it as overly simplistic and maybe foreseeing how it could be used as a weapon in the future. Right now, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that started with great expectations, it has become the butt of Australian jokes.

However McCullum has contributed to the problem either. Following the crushing defeat at the Gabba, his insistence that, if there was an issue, England were 'too prepared' before the day-night Test was akin to attempting to extinguish a bin fire with petrol. It could become his epitaph as national coach if results do not take an upturn.

In a way, one must admire his dedication to the philosophy. As much as McCullum says he block out outside criticism, he will have been all too aware of an England team increasingly characterised as carefree and lacking preparation.

The truth, as ever, is not so simple. England enjoy golf just as much during their scheduled breaks as their opponents and they train just as much. Before the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, completing five days compared to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink ball and the different lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Training

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his call – the instance he blinked in his conviction that minimal preparation is best. It meant a Test match's worth of focus was expended before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's fortress. And though nets are a opportunity to refine skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence activity that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are congested such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (with uncertain value, as shown by England playing three before the whitewash in 2013-14). More difficult to justify is the disregard of domestic red-ball cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, as shown by Jacob Bethell's unproductive season.

On-Field Shortcomings and Philosophical Lack of Evolution

Match practice alone hardens cricketers for the many situations they walk out to face, and it is in this area where England have so far been found lacking. The issue is not just with the batting – as poor as some of the decision-making has been – but an attack that seems without a spearhead. No bowler has shown the persistence or discipline that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his teammates have displayed.

McCullum's unconventional outlook was freeing during its initial year, an excellent, well diagnosed solution to shake off the lethargy that came before. The disappointment now stems from how it has seemingly not evolved past that initial phase – an absence of an upgrade to the initial philosophy that has seen form decline to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Squad Spotlight 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 with the gloves. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just delivered a virtuoso display.

Going by the coach's comments in the aftermath, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – as is the case – is that a return to a more familiar match environment triggers his top form, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unfamiliar floodlit Test now in the past.

Another option is to implement the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand 12 months ago by shifting Ollie Pope down to his preferred position as a active middle order player, giving him the wicketkeeping duties, and selecting a new No 3. A young contender made some runs for the Lions recently, or maybe an all-rounder could perform a similar role to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is perfect, with Australia's better fundamentals having destroyed pre-series optimism and forced the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.