The first cracks are beginning to appear in England’s Bazball facade, with first-drop batsman Ollie Pope admitting the tourists need to be more discerning with their stroke making and must “play the percentages” if they want to win the Ashes.

Pope was England’s leading run-scorer in Perth but triggered an almighty collapse after lunch on the second day, having a waft outside off stump and nicking the ball through to Alex Carey, having made a start.

Cavalier cover drives accounted for both Harry Brook and Joe Root in the subsequent overs as England went from holding a 99-run advantage at lunch with nine wickets in hand to being humbled by eight wickets by the end of the second day.

While his returns of 46 and 33 mean Pope has already outscored his efforts from his last tour of Australia four years ago, where he averaged 11.16 in three Tests, he revealed he knew it still wasn’t good enough.

“It was my first Test match there, and I was pretty clear that I knew that was the risk on that pitch. That’s why I was frustrated in the second dig, to get out like I did,” he said two days out from the start of the day-night contest in Brisbane.

“But they’re lessons to take forward, and it might be similar conditions here in terms of driving on the up. I was pretty annoyed with both dismissals in that (Perth) game, if I’m being honest with myself.

“At the same time, I was happy with how I was playing up until the moment I got out. If I can start my innings like that as much as I can while I’m out here, hopefully some big runs will flow.

“I don’t want to just let the bowler bowl at me, but it’s just trying to play the percentages as much as I can.

“Everyone’s really clear on their game plans. And there’s a few lessons there, I guess, individuals would take from last week and put them into practise this week. So, trying to learn the lessons, but then take some positives going forward.”

Pope said he wouldn’t, however, follow in the footsteps of some of the greats before him, such as Sachin Tendulkar, who in 2004, having gone 13 innings without a Test century, abandoned his trademark cover drive and made a double century at the SCG.

Instead, the former England vice-captain said he just needed to be “really precise”.

“I think it’s just being really precise with how you go about it. I think they can hang it out wide, but then as soon as they do miss their lengths, then it’s trying to put them under pressure there as well,” he said.

“So I think for me, on a personal note, I look back on that innings and the dismissal as just being that bit more precise and going about it in the same way. Having that little bit more preciseness in my in my game.”

And despite England having failed to win a Test at the Gabba in the past 40 years, Pope said the venue held no fear for the tourists, even under lights.

“I wouldn’t say fear. No, absolutely not. I mean, it’s a great stadium. I think it’s obviously a bouncy pitch. It’s just excitement going into this game,” he said.