Brendon McCullum removed as England Test coach but remains in white-ball role
Brendon McCullum removed as England Test coach but remains in white-ball role
Brendon McCullum has been removed as head coach of the England men’s Test team, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday. While his tenure in the red-ball format has concluded, McCullum will remain in his role leading the national white-ball set-up.
The decision brings an end to a four-year period defined by the aggressive strategy dubbed "Bazball." Appointed in May 2022 to revitalize a side that had won only one of its previous 17 matches, McCullum and former captain Ben Stokes initially produced a rapid string of successes, including series victories over New Zealand and Pakistan. During this time, the team gained notoriety for its high-scoring, risk-taking batting approach.
However, recent results have seen a downturn, with England losing seven of their last nine Test matches. A 4-1 series defeat in Australia during the 2025/26 winter and last month’s 2-1 home loss to New Zealand proved to be significant setbacks. Both series were marred by reports of an internal team drinking culture and off-field disciplinary issues, including the omission of Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson from the second Test after they broke a midnight team curfew.
Reflecting on the departure, McCullum expressed his disappointment while emphasizing his commitment to his remaining duties.
"I've absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together. Of course I'm gutted not to be continuing, but I respect the decision. My focus now is on giving everything I've got to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward."
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould stated that the board believes a change is necessary to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series, which is scheduled to take place in England next summer.
"Brendon breathed new life into England men's Test team during an exciting period which saw some amazing victories and we’re grateful for all he has given to the role. We now believe that the time is right to make a change for the Test team as we target victory in the Ashes next summer."
The transition in the Test leadership follows the international retirement of Ben Stokes, who announced his international retirement midway through what turned out to a crushing defeat in the third and final Test against New Zealand. While the Test role is currently vacant, McCullum’s white-ball tenure continues on a high note; the team recently completed a 4-0 series sweep of T20 world champions India, a performance that helped establish them as the top-ranked side in the world.
Managing Director Rob Key remains in his position despite external criticism regarding team preparation. Key noted that McCullum leaves the Test group "well-set and poised to achieve great things."
The new appointee will face an immediate schedule, as England is slated to play a series against Pakistan starting in August.
