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The England head coach detested the moniker Bazball from its inception, viewing it as reductive and perhaps anticipating how it might be weaponised down the line. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that began with great expectations, it has become the butt of mockery from Australia.

But the coach has not helped himself either. After the gut-wrenching loss at the Gabba, his insistence that, if there was an issue, England were 'too prepared' prior to the day-night Test was akin to attempting to extinguish a rubbish fire with petrol. It could become his lasting legacy as England head coach if results do not take an upturn.

In a way, you almost have to admire his commitment to the bit. While he says he block out outside criticism, he must have been all too aware of an England team increasingly characterised as freewheeling and lacking preparation.

The reality, as always, is not so simple. England enjoy golf just as much 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, due to their lack of exposure to the pink Kookaburra ball and the different lighting conditions.

The Debate of Readiness and Practice

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his decision – the instance he blinked in his conviction that less is more. It suggested a Test match's worth of mental energy was used up before they even took the field in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though nets are a chance to refine technique, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure work that simply maintains the reactions quick.

Schedules are tight such that pre-series state games were not possible (with no guarantee, as shown by England having played three before the whitewash in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the disregard of county championship cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, evidenced by a young player's unproductive season.

On-Field Shortcomings and Strategic Stagnation

Only playing hardens cricketers for the many situations they walk out to face, and it is in this area where England have thus far been found lacking. It is not only with the bat – as poor as some of the decision-making has been – but an attack that seems leaderless. None has demonstrated the persistence or control that the otherworldly Australian paceman and his support cast have delivered.

The coach's unconventional approach was freeing during its initial year, an excellent, well diagnosed solution to eradicate the lethargy that came before. The disappointment now comes in how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that point – the lack of an upgrade to the original software that has seen results taper off to an even record from their most recent matches.

Squad Spotlight and Selection Decisions

One such player is the wicketkeeper-batter, a gifted player, no question, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and has dropped two key chances with the gloves. It probably does not help when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just produced a masterful performance.

Going by the coach's words after the match, England look likely to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a switch to a traditional Test setting unleashes his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar day-night format now in the past.

Another option is to enact the plan stumbled across during the series win in New Zealand last year by moving Ollie Pope down to his more natural home as a active middle order player, giving him the gloves, and picking a new No 3. A young contender scored runs for the Lions recently, or maybe Will Jacks could perform a comparable function to Moeen Ali in 2023.

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