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The England head coach detested the label Bazball the moment it emerged, considering it overly simplistic and perhaps foreseeing how it might be weaponised in the future. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with great expectations, it has become the butt of mockery from Australia.

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

In a way, you almost have to admire his dedication to the philosophy. While McCullum claims to block out external noise, he must have been all too aware of an England team often described as carefree and underprepared.

The truth, as ever, is more nuanced. England enjoy golf just as much during their necessary down time as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, logging five days compared to Australia's three, due to their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the different seeing conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Practice

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his decision – the moment he blinked in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It meant a Test match's worth of mental energy was used up before they even took the field in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though nets are a chance to iron out technique, they can also become a safety blanket; zero consequence activity that simply maintains the reactions quick.

Schedules are congested such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (and 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 disregard of county championship cricket as a worthwhile exercise more broadly, as shown by a young player's unproductive season.

On-Field Deficiencies and Philosophical Lack of Evolution

Match practice alone prepares cricketers for the various scenarios they encounter, and it is here where England have so far been found lacking. The issue is not just with the batting – as poor as some of the decision-making has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. None has shown the patience or control that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his teammates have displayed.

McCullum's unconventional approach was liberating during its initial year, an excellent, well diagnosed remedy to shake off the lethargy that came before. The disappointment now stems from how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that initial phase – the lack of an upgrade to the initial philosophy that has seen results decline to an even record from their most recent matches.

Player Focus and Team Dilemmas

Among them is the wicketkeeper-batter, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on both edges and missed two crucial opportunities as wicketkeeper. It probably does not help when your counterpart, the Australian keeper, has just produced a virtuoso display.

Going by the coach's comments in the aftermath, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The expectation – as is the case – is that a switch to a more familiar match environment unleashes his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar floodlit Test now out of the way.

Another option is to implement the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand last year by shifting the batsman down to his preferred position as a busy No. 5 or 6, handing him the gloves, and picking a fresh face at first drop. A young contender made some runs for the Lions recently, or perhaps an all-rounder could perform a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is perfect, with Australia's superior basics having destroyed expectations and pushed the broader philosophy into the harsh glare of scrutiny.