“Where questioning comes of England is choosing not to get practice in Canberra under lights against the PM’s XI, then training in Brisbane and they lost that game,” said Gillespie.
“The messaging out of the England camp could have been better. Saying ‘we’ve overprepared’ for a Test – everyone would argue no. They had a great opportunity to prepare under lights with a pink ball and they chose not to because they felt it would not simulate conditions in Brisbane.
“Where was that excuse before the first Test in Perth, when they played on a low, slow wicket at Lilac Hill before a fast, bouncy wicket at Perth Stadium? The contradictory messaging coming out of the England camp has opened them up for criticism.”
McCullum is due to speak to the media on Sunday as England begin three days of training before the third Test starts on Wednesday (23:30 GMT on Tuesday).
England’s Sunday training session could provide clues to possible changes to their XI for the first red-ball Ashes Test in Adelaide since 2013 – the two since then have been day-night matches played with a pink ball.
A freshen up of the pace attack seems likely, with Josh Tongue replacing Gus Atkinson as one option.
With spin likely to play a role in Adelaide, England have a decision to make over Shoaib Bashir.
Bashir has been overlooked for the first two Tests while England opted for the all-round skills of Will Jacks in Brisbane, albeit with Stokes maintaining Bashir remains the number one spinner.
Bashir has been backed by England with this series in mind, yet has struggled so far, picking up two wickets in his two tour matches. Whoever the tourists pick, they will have a significant experience disadvantage compared to Australia veteran Nathan Lyon, himself due to return after being left out in Brisbane.
The visitors may also ponder replacing Ollie Pope at number three. Pope’s position has been a long-term source of scrutiny since Jacob Bethell made his Test debut in New Zealand a year ago.
Pope’s highest score in this series is 46. He had played 14 innings against Australia without passing 50.
Though Bethell’s career has stalled since that New Zealand tour – the 22-year-old is still to make a first-class century – he made 71 for the Lions against Australia A last weekend.
Despite their 2-0 lead, Australia will also make changes for Adelaide. Captain Pat Cummins will return after missing the first two Tests with a back injury.
To make room for Cummins and Lyon, the hosts look likely to omit Brendan Doggett, then one of his fellow seamers – Scott Boland or Michael Neser.
Australia must also decide on opener Usman Khawaja, who missed the second Test with a back injury.
Travis Head and Jake Weatherald have formed a promising partnership in his absence. If Khawaja does return, it would likely be at the expense of batter Josh Inglis, though Australia could leave both men out in favour of all-rounder Beau Webster in order to provide cover for the returning Cummins.
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