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Brendon McCullum detested the moniker Bazball from its inception, deeming it overly simplistic and perhaps foreseeing how it could be weaponised in the future. Right now, down 2-0 in an away Ashes series that began with great expectations, it has become the butt of mockery from Australia.

However the coach has contributed to the problem either. After the crushing defeat at the Gabba, his claim that, if anything, England were 'over-prepared' before the day-night Test was like attempting to extinguish a rubbish fire with petrol. It could become his epitaph as national coach if performances do not improve.

In a way, you almost have to admire his dedication to the philosophy. As much as he claims to ignore outside criticism, he must have been all too aware of an England team increasingly characterised as carefree and lacking preparation.

The reality, as ever, is more nuanced. England enjoy golf just as much during their necessary down time as their opponents and they train just as much. Prior to the Gabba Test, they did more, completing five days compared to Australia's three, due to their limited experience to the pink Kookaburra ball and the changes in seeing conditions.

The Debate of Preparation and Training

McCullum's point about being "over-prepared" was that those five extra days were his decision – the instance he blinked in his conviction that minimal preparation is best. It suggested a significant amount of mental energy was expended before they even stepped out in the cauldron of Australia's fortress. While nets are a opportunity to iron out skills, they can also become a comfort zone; low-pressure activity that simply keeps the reactions quick.

Fixtures are congested such that warm-up matches against state sides were not possible (with uncertain value, as shown by England playing three before the whitewash in 2013-14). More difficult to justify is the dismissal of domestic red-ball cricket as a valuable experience more broadly, evidenced by a young player's wasted summer.

On-Field Shortcomings and Philosophical Stagnation

Match practice alone prepares cricketers for the various scenarios they encounter, and it is in this area where England have thus far been found lacking. It is not only with the batting – harrowing as some of the decision-making has been – but an attack that seems leaderless. None has demonstrated the persistence or discipline that the otherworldly Mitchell Starc and his teammates have displayed.

The coach's free-spirit approach was liberating during its first 12 months, an excellent, well diagnosed remedy to shake off the lethargy that came before. The frustration now comes in how it has apparently failed to move beyond that point – an absence of an second phase to the initial philosophy that has seen form taper off to an even record from their most recent matches.

Player Focus and Team Decisions

Among them is the wicketkeeper-batter, a gifted player, undoubtedly, but one who is being constantly tested 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 produced a masterful performance.

Based on McCullum'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 switch to a traditional Test setting unleashes his best, with Perth's bouncy pitch and the unusual floodlit Test now out of the way.

Another option is to implement the plan discovered during the series win in New Zealand 12 months ago by shifting Ollie Pope down to his preferred position as a active No. 5 or 6, handing him the wicketkeeping duties, and picking a fresh face at first drop. A young contender made some runs for the Lions recently, or perhaps an all-rounder could perform a similar role to the former spinner in 2023.

Ultimately, none of this is ideal, with Australia's better fundamentals having shattered expectations and forced the broader philosophy into the spotlight.