Brendon McCullum removed as England Test coach but keeps white-ball role
Brendon McCullum has been removed as England’s Test head coach, marking the end of the Bazball era as the ECB shifts focus toward the 2027 Ashes. McCullum will remain in his role as head coach of the national white-ball teams.
Brendon McCullum has been removed as the England men’s Test head coach, a decision announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Sunday. While his tenure in the longest format has been terminated with immediate effect, McCullum will remain in his role as head coach of the national white-ball teams, a position he has held since 2024.
The departure marks the formal end of the so-called Bazball
era, a period defined by aggressive, high-tempo cricket that initially revitalized a struggling Test side. The move follows a series of disappointing results, including a 4-1 defeat in the Ashes series in Australia during the 2025/26 winter and a 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand that concluded last month. These performances were frequently compounded by off-field controversies.
Media additions
Reflecting on the decision, McCullum expressed his disappointment.
He noted that he remains proud of the achievements reached during his four-year term, which included winning 25 of his 44 Tests in charge."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."
Brendon McCullum, via ECB
ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated that the board believes now is the correct time to implement change as the organization shifts its focus toward the 2027 Ashes series. 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,
Gould said. Rob Key, the managing director of men’s cricket, will now lead the recruitment process for a new Test coach. Key, who has faced criticism for England's preparation ahead of the recent Ashes, remains in his role, with Gould affirming that there are no current plans for further leadership changes within the ECB hierarchy.
The transition arrives at a time of significant upheaval for the England Test team, which is now without both a head coach and a captain following the recent retirement of Ben Stokes. England's next scheduled Test series is against Pakistan, set to begin next month.
Recent England Test Results
| Series | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Ashes (2025/26) | 4-1 Loss |
| New Zealand (Home) | 2-1 Loss |
Speculation regarding potential successors is already circulating. Andy Flower, the former England coach who oversaw successful Ashes campaigns between 2009 and 2014, has been cited as a primary candidate. The ECB has indicated a willingness to consider candidates who currently hold roles in franchise leagues, such as the Indian Premier League, potentially easing the path for someone like Flower, who currently coaches Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
While the red-ball setup undergoes a reset, McCullum’s position with the white-ball squad remains stable. The team recently completed a 4-0 T20 series sweep against India, a result that propelled England to the top of the world rankings. I'll always be backing the boys, with a smile on my face, and hoping they keep taking the game on,
McCullum added in his statement. I know they'll continue to make people proud.
What to Watch Next
- Next Month: Start of the England vs. Pakistan Test series.
- 2027 Ashes: The long-term performance target set by the ECB for the new coaching staff.
