England's familiar failings prevented them building on their opening day's success at the Adelaide Oval - and instead allowed Australia to ruthlessly exploit a series of mishaps and missed chances in the second Test of the Ashes Series.
They have already experienced just how quickly a promising position can be transformed into imminent defeat during the opening Test in Brisbane when they were handily placed at 268 for three replying to Australia's 492 - only to slip to a 384-run hammering just a day later.
The ridicule which followed that defeat prompted England into a far better display and reach a comfortable 295 for four at the close of the first day with expectations high that they could pass 400.
Instead, a capitulation almost identical to the one which took place at the Gabba re-occurred with the Australians exerting pressure brilliantly as England lost 6 for 47 before lunch and were dismissed for a disappointing 342 before allowing Steve Waugh's powerful side to progress to within 95 runs of parity on 247 for two.
It was a complete turnaround in fortunes from the previous evening yet, just like in Brisbane, they were largely responsible for their own downfall by failing to take chances at key moments.