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The England head coach detested the label Bazball the moment it emerged, considering it reductive and perhaps anticipating how it might be used as a weapon in the future. Right now, trailing 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that started with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But McCullum has not helped himself either. After the gut-wrenching loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' prior to the day-night Test was like trying to put out a bin fire with gasoline. It could become his lasting legacy as national coach if performances do not improve.

In a way, you almost have to 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 increasingly characterised as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, completing five days to Australia's three, due to their lack of exposure to the pink Kookaburra ball and the different seeing conditions.

The Question of Preparation and Practice

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his call – the moment he wavered in his belief that less is more. It suggested a significant amount of focus was used up before they even took the field in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. And though nets are a opportunity to iron out technique, they can also become a safety blanket; zero consequence work that simply keeps the reactions quick.

Fixtures 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). What is harder to square is the disregard of county championship cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, as shown by Jacob Bethell's wasted summer.

On-Field Shortcomings and Philosophical Lack of Evolution

Only playing hardens cricketers for the many situations they encounter, and it is in this area where England have thus far been found lacking. The issue is not just with the batting – harrowing as some of the shot selection has been – but an attack that seems leaderless. No bowler has shown the patience or discipline that the exceptional Australian paceman and his teammates have delivered.

McCullum's free-spirit outlook was freeing during its first 12 months, an excellent, apt remedy to eradicate the lethargy that came before. The frustration now stems from how it has seemingly not evolved past that initial phase – an absence of an second phase to the initial philosophy that has seen form decline to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Player Focus and Selection Decisions

One such player is Jamie Smith, a gifted player, no question, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on each side of the bat and has dropped two key chances with the gloves. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just produced a masterful performance.

Based on the coach's words in the aftermath, England appear set to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a return to a traditional Test setting unleashes his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar floodlit Test now in the past.

The alternative is to implement the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand last year by moving the batsman down to his preferred position as a busy No. 5 or 6, giving him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a new No 3. Bethell scored runs for the Lions over the weekend, or maybe Will Jacks could fulfil a similar role to Moeen Ali in 2023.

Ultimately, these changes is perfect, with Australia's superior basics having destroyed expectations and forced the broader philosophy into the spotlight.