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Brendon McCullum loathed the term Bazball the moment it emerged, considering it overly simplistic and perhaps anticipating how it might be weaponised down the line. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that started with high hopes, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But McCullum has contributed to the problem either. After the gut-wrenching defeat at the Gabba, his insistence that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' before the pink-ball match was like trying to put out a bin fire with gasoline. It could become his epitaph as national coach if results do not take an upturn.

On one level, one must admire his commitment to the bit. While he claims to block out external noise, he must have been all too aware of an England team often described as freewheeling and underprepared.

The reality, as always, is more nuanced. England enjoy golf just as much during their scheduled breaks as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Before the Gabba Test, they did more, logging five days compared to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink ball and the changes in seeing conditions.

The Question of Preparation and Training

McCullum's point about being "excessively ready" was that those additional training days were his decision – the moment he wavered in his belief that less is more. It suggested a significant amount of mental energy was expended before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. And though nets are a opportunity to iron out skills, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure activity that mainly maintains the reactions quick.

Schedules are tight such that pre-series state games were unavailable (and uncertain value, as shown by England playing three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). More difficult to justify is the dismissal of county championship cricket as a worthwhile exercise more broadly, evidenced by a young player's unproductive season.

On-Field Shortcomings and Strategic Lack of Evolution

Only playing prepares cricketers for the many situations they walk out to face, and it is here where England have so far been found lacking. The issue is not just with the bat – harrowing as some of the decision-making has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. No bowler has demonstrated the patience or discipline that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his support cast have displayed.

The coach's unconventional approach was freeing during its initial year, an effective, apt solution to eradicate the lethargy that came before. The frustration now comes in how it has seemingly not evolved past that initial phase – the lack of an upgrade to the initial philosophy that has seen form taper off to 14 wins and 14 losses from their last 30 Tests.

Squad Focus and Selection Decisions

Among them is Jamie Smith, a talent, no question, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and missed two key chances with the gloves. It probably does not help when your counterpart, Alex Carey, has just delivered a masterful performance.

Based on McCullum's words after the match, England appear set to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – as is the case – is that a switch to a traditional Test setting unleashes his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual day-night format now out of the way.

Another option is to enact the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand 12 months ago by shifting the batsman down to his preferred position as a active middle order player, giving him the gloves, and selecting a fresh face at first drop. Bethell scored runs for the Lions recently, or maybe Will Jacks could perform a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, none of this is ideal, however Australia's superior basics having shattered pre-series optimism and pushed the team's entire approach into the spotlight.