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The England head coach despised the moniker Bazball from its inception, deeming it reductive and maybe foreseeing how it could be weaponised in the future. Right now, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that started with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But the coach has contributed to the problem either. Following the crushing loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' before the pink-ball match was akin to trying to put out a rubbish fire with petrol. It risks becoming his epitaph as England head coach if performances do not take an upturn.

In a way, you almost have to admire his dedication to the philosophy. As much as McCullum claims to block out outside criticism, he will have been acutely aware of an England team increasingly characterised as freewheeling and lacking preparation.

The truth, as always, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their scheduled breaks as their opponents and they train just as much. Before the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, logging five days to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink ball and the changes in 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 moment he wavered 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 stronghold. While net practice are a opportunity to refine skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence work that simply maintains the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (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 domestic red-ball cricket as a valuable experience more broadly, evidenced by a young player's wasted summer.

On-Field Deficiencies and Strategic Stagnation

Only playing hardens cricketers for the various scenarios they encounter, and it is in this area where England have so far been found lacking. It is not only with the bat – harrowing as some of the decision-making has been – but an attack that seems leaderless. No bowler has shown the patience or control that the otherworldly Mitchell Starc and his support cast have delivered.

The coach's unconventional approach was liberating during its first 12 months, an excellent, well diagnosed remedy to shake off the lethargy that came before. The frustration now stems from how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that point – the lack of an second phase to the original software that has seen results decline to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Squad Focus and Selection Decisions

Among them is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on each side of the bat and missed two key chances as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your counterpart, the Australian keeper, has just delivered a virtuoso display.

Based on McCullum's comments after the match, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – as is the case – is that a return to a more familiar Test setting unleashes his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual floodlit Test now out of the way.

Another option is to enact the plan discovered 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 new No 3. Bethell made some runs for the Lions over the weekend, or maybe an all-rounder could fulfil a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is ideal, however Australia's better fundamentals having shattered pre-series optimism and forced the team's entire approach into the spotlight.