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Brendon McCullum detested the label Bazball from its inception, deeming it reductive and perhaps anticipating how it could be weaponised in the future. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with high hopes, it has become the butt of Australian jokes.

However the coach has not helped himself either. Following the crushing defeat at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' prior to the day-night Test was like trying to put out a rubbish fire with gasoline. It could become his epitaph as England head coach if performances do not take an upturn.

In a way, you almost have to admire his commitment to the bit. While he says he ignore external noise, he must have been acutely aware of an England team often described as carefree and underprepared.

The truth, as always, is not so simple. 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, logging five days compared to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink Kookaburra ball and the different seeing conditions.

The Debate of Readiness and Practice

The coach's point about being "over-prepared" was that those additional training days were his decision – the instance he wavered in his conviction that less is more. It suggested a significant amount of focus was expended before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though nets are a chance to iron out skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence work that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were unavailable (and uncertain value, when you consider England having played three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). More difficult to justify is the dismissal of domestic red-ball cricket as a valuable experience in general, as shown by Jacob Bethell's wasted summer.

On-Field Shortcomings and Strategic Stagnation

Match practice alone prepares cricketers for the many situations they encounter, and it is here 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 bowling attack that seems without a spearhead. No bowler has demonstrated the persistence or control that the otherworldly Australian paceman and his support cast have displayed.

The coach's unconventional outlook was liberating during its initial year, an excellent, well diagnosed remedy to shake off the torpor that preceded it. The disappointment now stems from how it has seemingly not evolved past that initial phase – an absence of an upgrade to the original software that has seen form decline to 14 wins and 14 losses from their most recent matches.

Squad Focus and Selection Decisions

Among them is the wicketkeeper-batter, a talent, no question, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on both edges and missed two key chances with the gloves. It probably does not help when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just produced a virtuoso display.

Based on the coach's words after the match, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – similar to the broader situation – is that a return to a traditional match environment triggers his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual day-night format now in the past.

Another option is to enact the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand last year by shifting Ollie Pope 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 similar role to Moeen Ali in 2023.

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