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The England head coach detested the label Bazball the moment it emerged, viewing it as reductive and perhaps anticipating how it might be used as a weapon in the future. Right now, down 2-0 in an Test series in Australia that began with great expectations, it has become the butt of mockery from Australia.

But McCullum has not helped himself either. Following the gut-wrenching defeat at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'too prepared' before the pink-ball match was like trying to put out a bin fire with gasoline. It could become his epitaph as national coach if performances do not take an upturn.

On one level, one must admire his commitment to the bit. While McCullum says he ignore outside criticism, he will have been acutely aware of an England team often described as freewheeling and underprepared.

The reality, as always, is not so simple. England enjoy golf just as much during their scheduled breaks as their rivals and they practice equally hard. Before the Gabba Test, they did more, logging five days to Australia's three, due to their lack of exposure to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Practice

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his call – the instance he wavered in his belief that less is more. It suggested a significant amount of mental energy was used up before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's stronghold. While net practice are a opportunity to refine skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence work that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Fixtures are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were unavailable (with 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 domestic red-ball cricket as a worthwhile exercise in general, as shown by Jacob Bethell's wasted summer.

Match Deficiencies and Strategic Stagnation

Match practice alone 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 batting – harrowing as some of the decision-making has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. None has shown the persistence or discipline that the otherworldly Australian paceman and his teammates have displayed.

McCullum's free-spirit approach was freeing during its initial year, an effective, apt solution to eradicate the lethargy that preceded it. The frustration now comes in 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 14 wins and 14 losses from their last 30 Tests.

Player Spotlight and Selection Decisions

Among them is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on both edges and missed two crucial opportunities with the gloves. It probably does not help when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just delivered a masterful performance.

Based on McCullum's comments after the match, England appear set to persist with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a switch to a traditional match environment triggers his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar floodlit Test now out of the way.

The alternative is to enact the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand last year by moving Ollie Pope down to his more natural home as a active No. 5 or 6, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a fresh face at first drop. A young contender scored runs for the Lions recently, or maybe an all-rounder could perform a similar role to the former spinner in 2023.

In the end, these changes 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.