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Brendon McCullum loathed the term Bazball from its inception, deeming it overly simplistic and maybe anticipating how it could be used as a weapon down the line. Right now, trailing 2-0 in an away Ashes series that started with great expectations, it has turned into the subject of mockery from Australia.

But the coach has contributed to the problem either. After the crushing loss at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' prior to the day-night Test was akin to trying to put out a bin fire with petrol. It could become his epitaph as national coach if performances do not improve.

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

The reality, as ever, is more nuanced. England play as much golf during their scheduled breaks as their opponents and they train just as much. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, logging five days to Australia's three, given their limited experience to the pink ball and the changes in lighting conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Training

The coach's point about being "excessively ready" was that those five extra days were his decision – the instance he blinked in his belief that less is more. It suggested a significant amount of mental energy was expended before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. And though net practice are a chance to iron out skills, they can also become a comfort zone; zero consequence activity that simply keeps the reflexes sharp.

Fixtures are tight such that warm-up matches against state sides were unavailable (with uncertain value, as shown by England playing three before the whitewash in 2013-14). What is harder to square is the disregard of domestic red-ball cricket as a worthwhile exercise more broadly, evidenced by a young player's unproductive season.

On-Field Deficiencies and Strategic Lack of Evolution

Only playing hardens cricketers for the various scenarios they walk out to face, and it is in this area where England have thus far fallen well short. It is not only with the batting – as poor as some of the shot selection has been – but an bowling attack that seems leaderless. No bowler has shown the patience or control that the exceptional Mitchell Starc and his teammates have displayed.

The coach's free-spirit outlook was liberating during its first 12 months, an effective, well diagnosed solution to shake off the lethargy that preceded it. The disappointment now stems from how it has seemingly failed to move beyond that initial phase – an absence of an second phase to the original software that has seen results taper off to 14 wins and 14 losses from their most recent matches.

Player Focus and Team Dilemmas

One such player is Jamie Smith, a talent, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested on each side of the bat and missed two key chances as wicketkeeper. The situation is not aided when your opposite number, the Australian keeper, has just produced a virtuoso performance.

Based on McCullum's comments after the match, England look likely to keep the faith with Smith in Adelaide. The hope – as is the case – is that a switch to a more familiar match environment triggers his top form, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unfamiliar day-night format now in the past.

The alternative is to implement the plan discovered during the victorious series in New Zealand last year by moving Ollie Pope down to his preferred position as a busy No. 5 or 6, handing him the gloves, and picking a new No 3. Bethell made some runs for the Lions recently, or maybe an all-rounder could perform a similar role to Moeen Ali in 2023.

In the end, none of this is ideal, however Australia's superior basics having destroyed expectations and pushed the team's entire approach into the harsh glare of scrutiny.