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Brendon McCullum loathed the moniker Bazball since it was coined, viewing it as overly simplistic and maybe foreseeing how it could be used as a weapon down the line. Currently, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with high hopes, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But the coach has not helped himself either. Following the gut-wrenching defeat 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 petrol. It risks becoming his lasting legacy as national coach if results do not take an upturn.

On one level, one must admire his commitment to the bit. While he says he block out outside criticism, he must have been all too aware of an England team often described as carefree and underprepared.

The reality, as always, is not so simple. England play as much golf during their scheduled breaks as their rivals and they train just as much. Before the Gabba Test, they trained for longer, completing five days compared to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink ball and the different lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Practice

The coach's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his call – the moment he wavered in his conviction that less is more. It meant a significant amount of mental energy was used up before they even stepped out in the intensity of Australia's fortress. And though nets are a chance to iron out technique, they can also become a safety blanket; zero consequence activity that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Schedules are congested such that pre-series state games were unavailable (and no guarantee, when you consider England playing three before the 5-0 series loss in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the dismissal of county championship cricket as a valuable experience in general, as shown by Jacob Bethell's wasted summer.

On-Field Shortcomings and Philosophical Stagnation

Only playing prepares cricketers for the many situations they encounter, and it is in this area where England have so far fallen well short. It is not only with the bat – harrowing as some of the shot selection has been – but an bowling attack that seems without a spearhead. None has demonstrated the patience or control that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his support cast have displayed.

The coach's free-spirit approach was freeing during its first 12 months, an effective, well diagnosed solution to eradicate the lethargy that came before. The frustration now comes in how it has apparently failed to move beyond that point – the lack of an upgrade to the original software that has seen form decline to an even record from their most recent matches.

Player Spotlight and Selection Decisions

One such player is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on each side of the bat and has dropped two crucial opportunities as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, Alex Carey, has just delivered a virtuoso performance.

Based on the coach's words in the aftermath, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a return to a traditional match environment triggers his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual day-night format now out of the way.

The alternative is to implement the plan stumbled across during the victorious series in New Zealand 12 months ago by moving the batsman down to his preferred position as a busy No. 5 or 6, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a new No 3. A young contender scored runs for the Lions recently, or perhaps an all-rounder could fulfil a comparable function to the former spinner in 2023.

In the end, these changes is ideal, however Australia's superior basics having shattered pre-series optimism and pushed the broader philosophy into the harsh glare of scrutiny.