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There exists a telling masterclass segment featuring the England coach alongside Rob Key. Filmed back in 2016, it shows the pair in a state of relaxed confidence, joking during a session while talking about the art of hitting.

Their rapport on display feels overpowering. It’s almost like watching a private moment. This is the essence of McCullum’s mindset: a focus on entering a relaxed state above all else.

“I try to hit it in that direction, occasionally somewhere else,” he says with a shrug. When asked about his quick hands, he replies: “I’m not entirely sure.”

It’s no surprise that his tutorial is devoid of complex technical content. The insight lies in hearing an incredibly successful batter articulate a philosophy of instinct and simplicity. He admits his red-ball approach was transferable due to the fact “in Test cricket I lacked a solid defence capable of withstanding top-class attacks.”

A Fundamental Issue: Is a Motivational Figure Manage a Major Campaign?

This prompts a pressing query: Should you entrust the ‘masterclasser’ with planning, overseeing, and meticulously managing an entire Test series in Australia? Furthermore, what if this philosophy subsequently falters due to inadequate preparation? Do you then task the same person to try again, to adapt a methodology centred around paring it back?

By now, the coach has begun to feel akin to an inspirational motivational speaker where the one-trick message has been stretched to running a national sports team. He can be a valuable culture-setter is clear. But that doesn’t mean he is the right person to oversee the entire minute logistical planning.

Why Scrutiny is Essential

This is precisely why, the head coach has to be held to account by normal rules of success and failure, irrespective of the outcome in Sydney. There is an argument suggesting both teams might benefit in the long run by a defeat the last match.

However, this would be an error to become sidetracked by any late-series victory. The fundamental failures remain. The primary job of McCullum and Key was to manage the preparations and handle the logistics. One cannot reward poor preparation simply because the players were good enough to claw it back afterwards.

Keeping this clarity will be difficult if the team win or draw in Sydney. Many distractions already exist. The host nation's response to losing in Melbourne was misleadingly exaggerated, including trials of the groundsman to lamentations on the death of warrior culture. Such noise is highly distractingly feelgood for English supporters.

Avoid the Distractions

• Don’t get distracted because Melbourne constituted a genuinely good win despite controversy over conditions.
• Do not look away by the approaching global white-ball tournament, an event which pop up with relentless frequency.
• Above all, don’t be distracted that replacing the management will not solve the deep-rooted systemic issues within the domestic game.

Indeed, this last point is key. Hiring of inspirational but inexperienced figures to the highest roles; acceptance of slackness, cronyism, and PR-ing your own shortcuts: this is symptomatic of a huge amount that is flawed in cricket.

What Failure to Plan Really Means

Hence consequences is non-negotiable. What message is sent if it turns out you can get away with not having adequate preparation matches, not employing a dedicated fielding coach, or not organising a day-night practice game for players unfamiliar with a pink ball?

Add to this all the fine detail, including the curious case of Shoaib Bashir, who was replaced by Will Jacks. If none of that matters, then nothing really matters.

Even before Sydney, revisionism has begun. Arguments are made it was acceptable to skip practice games because the team did it previously and won. Such reasoning conveniently ignores key differences, such as past opponents were also underprepared, while the hosts were fully prepared. Just because you passed one exam without studying is no justification for abandoning revision altogether.

The Captain’s Verdict and The Future

The main argument to keep McCullum and Key centres on lessons can be learned from this experience. The idea that McCullum could add a grasp of detail to his motivational skills is intriguing. His entire method is simplification. How would ‘Baz’ with data briefings even function?

Ben Stokes is now pivotal. His mid-series comments felt like urgent effort to introduce some substance into the baggy first principles. He will provide to give his own tour review. A clear, impartial account could well see the coach dangling by a thread, and the director required to admit managerial failure.

The final Test offers an opportunity for another victory. But it should not be allowed to obscure these facts. Above all, there must be a need for consequences, for stakes, and for rigorous scrutiny on performance. This is a sport where standards must be upheld.