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Brendon McCullum detested the moniker Bazball from its inception, viewing it as overly simplistic and perhaps anticipating how it might be used as a weapon down the line. Right now, trailing 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that began with high hopes, it has become the butt of Australian jokes.

But McCullum has contributed to the problem either. Following the gut-wrenching defeat at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' before the day-night Test was akin to trying to put out a rubbish fire with petrol. It risks becoming his epitaph as national coach if performances do not improve.

On one level, you almost have to admire his commitment to the bit. While McCullum claims to ignore outside criticism, he will have been all too aware of an England team often described as carefree and underprepared.

The truth, as always, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their scheduled breaks as their opponents and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days compared 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

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those additional training days were his call – the instance he wavered in his belief that less is more. It meant a Test match's worth of mental energy was used up before they even took the field in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. 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 congested such that pre-series state games were unavailable (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 county championship cricket as a valuable experience in general, as shown by a young player's wasted summer.

Match Deficiencies and Philosophical Lack of Evolution

Only playing prepares cricketers for the many situations they walk out to face, 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 bowling attack that seems leaderless. None has shown the patience or control that the otherworldly Australian paceman and his support cast have delivered.

McCullum's free-spirit outlook was freeing during its first 12 months, an excellent, apt remedy to eradicate the torpor that came before. The frustration now stems from how it has seemingly not evolved past that point – an absence of an second phase to the original software that has seen form decline to an even record from their most recent matches.

Squad Spotlight and Selection Dilemmas

One such player is the wicketkeeper-batter, a gifted player, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on each side of the bat and has dropped two key chances as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your counterpart, the Australian keeper, has just delivered a masterful display.

Based on the coach's comments in the aftermath, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a return to a more familiar Test setting triggers his top form, 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 12 months ago by moving Ollie Pope down to his more natural home as a busy No. 5 or 6, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a fresh face at first drop. Bethell scored runs for the Lions over the weekend, or perhaps an all-rounder could fulfil a comparable function to Moeen Ali in 2023.

Ultimately, none of this is ideal, with Australia's better fundamentals having shattered expectations and forced the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.