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Brendon McCullum loathed the label Bazball from its inception, considering it overly simplistic and maybe foreseeing how it might be used as a weapon down the line. Right now, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that started with great expectations, it has become the butt of Australian jokes.

But McCullum has not helped himself either. After the crushing defeat at the Gabba, his insistence that, if there was an issue, England were 'too prepared' prior to the pink-ball match was akin to trying to put out a bin fire with petrol. It risks becoming his lasting legacy as national coach if performances do not take an upturn.

In a way, one must admire his commitment to the bit. As much as McCullum claims to ignore outside criticism, he will have been acutely aware of an England team often described as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their opponents and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, logging five days compared to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in lighting conditions.

The Question of Readiness and Training

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his decision – the moment he wavered in his conviction that minimal preparation is best. It suggested a significant amount of focus was expended before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though net practice are a chance to refine skills, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure activity that simply maintains the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (with no guarantee, as shown by England having played three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the dismissal of domestic red-ball cricket as a worthwhile exercise more broadly, evidenced by Jacob Bethell's unproductive season.

On-Field Deficiencies and Philosophical Stagnation

Only playing hardens cricketers for the many situations they encounter, 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 Australian paceman and his support cast have delivered.

McCullum's free-spirit approach was liberating during its initial year, an effective, well diagnosed solution to eradicate the lethargy that preceded it. The frustration now comes in how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that initial phase – the lack of an second phase to the initial philosophy that has seen form decline to an even record from their most recent matches.

Player Spotlight and Selection Dilemmas

Among them is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and missed two crucial opportunities with the gloves. It probably does not help when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just delivered a masterful display.

Based on McCullum's words after the match, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a switch to a traditional match environment unleashes his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar day-night format now in the past.

The alternative is to implement the plan stumbled across during the series win in New Zealand 12 months ago by shifting Ollie Pope down to his preferred position as a active No. 5 or 6, giving him the gloves, and selecting a new No 3. A young contender made some runs for the Lions recently, or maybe an all-rounder could perform a similar role to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, none of this is ideal, however Australia's better fundamentals having destroyed pre-series optimism and forced the broader philosophy into the spotlight.