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The England head coach loathed the term Bazball since it was coined, viewing it as reductive and maybe foreseeing how it might be weaponised down the line. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series 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 defeat at the Gabba, his insistence that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' prior to the day-night Test was akin to trying to put out a bin fire with gasoline. It could become his lasting legacy as national coach if results do not take an upturn.

On one level, one must admire his dedication to the philosophy. As much as he says he ignore outside criticism, he will have been all too aware of an England team often described as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as always, is not so simple. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their opponents and they train just as much. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days compared to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Practice

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those additional training days were his decision – the moment he wavered in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It meant a significant amount of focus was expended before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. While net practice are a chance to iron out technique, they can also become a safety blanket; low-pressure activity that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Fixtures are congested such that pre-series state games were not possible (with no guarantee, 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 more broadly, evidenced by a young player's wasted summer.

Match Shortcomings and Strategic Lack of Evolution

Only playing hardens cricketers for the various scenarios they encounter, and it is in this area 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 attack that seems leaderless. No bowler has shown the persistence or discipline that the otherworldly Australian paceman and his support cast have delivered.

The coach's unconventional outlook was freeing during its initial year, an excellent, well diagnosed remedy to eradicate the lethargy that preceded it. The frustration now stems from how it has apparently not evolved past that initial phase – an absence of an upgrade to the initial philosophy that has seen results decline to 14 wins and 14 losses from their last 30 Tests.

Player Spotlight and Team Decisions

Among them is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and has dropped two key chances with the gloves. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just produced a masterful performance.

Going by the coach's comments after the match, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – as is the case – is that a switch to a traditional match environment unleashes his best, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unfamiliar day-night format now in the past.

Another option is to enact the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand 12 months ago by moving the batsman down to his preferred position as a busy middle order player, handing him the gloves, and picking a new No 3. Bethell made some runs for the Lions over the weekend, or maybe Will Jacks could perform a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

In the end, these changes is ideal, however Australia's superior basics having destroyed expectations and pushed the broader philosophy into the harsh glare of scrutiny.