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The England head coach despised the moniker Bazball the moment it emerged, considering it reductive and perhaps anticipating how it could be weaponised down the line. Right now, down 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with high hopes, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But McCullum has contributed to the problem either. Following the gut-wrenching loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' before the day-night Test was akin to trying to put out a rubbish fire with gasoline. It could become his epitaph as national coach if results do not improve.

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

The truth, as always, is not so simple. England play as much golf during their necessary down time as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days compared to Australia's three, given their lack of exposure to the pink ball and the changes in seeing conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Practice

McCullum's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his call – the moment he wavered in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It meant a Test match's worth of focus was used up before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's stronghold. While nets are a chance to iron out technique, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure activity that simply maintains the reflexes sharp.

Fixtures are congested such that pre-series state games were not possible (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 disregard of county championship cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, evidenced by Jacob Bethell's wasted summer.

Match Shortcomings and Philosophical Stagnation

Match practice alone hardens cricketers for the many situations they walk out to face, and it is in this area where England have so far fallen well short. It is not only with the batting – harrowing as some of the shot selection has been – but an attack that seems without a spearhead. No bowler has shown the patience or control that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his teammates have displayed.

McCullum's free-spirit outlook was liberating during its initial year, an effective, apt remedy to shake off the torpor that preceded it. The disappointment now stems from how it has apparently failed to move beyond that point – the lack of an upgrade to the original software that has seen results taper off to an even record from their last 30 Tests.

Player Focus and Team Dilemmas

Among them is Jamie Smith, a talent, no question, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and missed two key chances as wicketkeeper. It probably does not help when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just produced a virtuoso display.

Going by the coach'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 more familiar Test setting unleashes his top form, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unusual day-night format now in the past.

The alternative is to implement the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand 12 months ago by moving Ollie Pope down to his more natural home as a busy No. 5 or 6, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a new No 3. Bethell scored runs for the Lions over the weekend, or perhaps Will Jacks could fulfil a comparable function to Moeen Ali in 2023.

In the end, none of this is ideal, with Australia's better fundamentals having destroyed pre-series optimism and pushed the team's entire approach into the spotlight.