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The England head coach loathed the term Bazball since it was coined, considering it overly simplistic and perhaps anticipating how it might be used as a weapon in the future. Right now, down 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with high hopes, it has become the butt of Australian jokes.

However McCullum has not helped himself either. After the crushing loss at the Gabba, his insistence that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' prior to the day-night Test was like attempting to extinguish a bin fire with gasoline. It could become his lasting legacy as national coach if results do not improve.

In a way, one must admire his dedication to the philosophy. As much as McCullum says he ignore outside criticism, he must have been acutely aware of an England team often described as freewheeling and lacking preparation.

The truth, as always, is more nuanced. England enjoy golf just as much during their necessary down time as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Before the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, logging five days to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink ball and the changes in seeing conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Training

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those additional training days were his call – the instance he blinked in his belief that minimal preparation is best. It suggested a significant amount of mental energy was used up before they even took the field in the intensity of Australia's fortress. While nets are a chance to refine skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence activity that simply keeps the reactions quick.

Schedules are congested such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (and uncertain value, as shown by England playing 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, as shown by a young player's unproductive season.

Match Shortcomings and Philosophical Stagnation

Only playing hardens cricketers for the various scenarios they walk out to face, and it is here where England have so far been found lacking. The issue is not just with the bat – as poor 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 otherworldly Mitchell Starc and his support cast have delivered.

The coach's free-spirit approach was freeing during its initial year, an excellent, well diagnosed remedy to shake off the torpor that preceded it. The disappointment now comes in how it has seemingly not evolved past that point – an absence of an upgrade to the original software that has seen results decline to an even record from their most recent matches.

Squad Focus and Team Dilemmas

One such player is Jamie Smith, a talent, no question, but one who is being mercilessly targeted on each side of the bat and missed two key chances with the gloves. It probably does not help when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just delivered a masterful display.

Based on the coach's comments after the match, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a return to a traditional Test setting triggers his best, with Perth's trampoline surface and the unfamiliar day-night format now out of the way.

Another option is to implement the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand 12 months ago by shifting the batsman down to his more natural home as a active No. 5 or 6, giving him the gloves, and selecting a new No 3. Bethell scored runs for the Lions over the weekend, or perhaps an all-rounder could perform a similar role to Moeen Ali in 2023.

Ultimately, none of this is perfect, however Australia's superior basics having shattered pre-series optimism and forced the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.