Brendon McCullum has been sacked as England's Test head coach in a dramatic development that marks the definitive end of the Bazball era. The decision comes just two weeks after Ben Stokes stunned the cricketing world by stepping down as captain and retiring from international cricket.
The New Zealander will continue in his role as England's white-ball coach, but his departure from the Test setup follows a string of poor results and several off-field incidents that have left the team in turmoil. Director of cricket Rob Key will remain in his position, with the England and Wales Cricket Board hierarchy having spent time reflecting on the situation surrounding the men's team.
A Tumultuous Decline
When McCullum first took charge of the Test team in 2022, the impact was immediate and electrifying. Partnering with Stokes, the Bazball style revitalised an England side that had won only one of its previous 17 Tests. England won 10 of their first 11 Tests under the duo, earning famous victories over New Zealand at Trent Bridge, India at Edgbaston, and Pakistan in Rawalpindi — the latter kicking off a 3-0 series sweep.
However, the initial brilliance gradually faded. Since that opening run of success, England have lost 19 and won 17 of 38 Tests. The decline began with a heart-stopping one-run defeat by New Zealand in Wellington, sustained after England enforced the follow-on. While the home Ashes of 2023 saw England recover from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 — a series they might have won had rain not washed out the final two days at Old Trafford — the trajectory was downward.
The tour of India in 2024 started with another memorable win in Hyderabad but deteriorated into a 4-1 series defeat. England have now lost seven of their past nine Tests, including the 4-1 Ashes hammering in Australia.
The Ashes Tour That Fell Apart
After returning from India, Stokes, McCullum, and Key set their sights on the 2025-26 Ashes tour, a plan that included ending the career of England's all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson. England assembled arguably their most hostile pace attack in more than 50 years, but the tour unravelled amid inadequate preparation, poor performances, and allegations of a drinking culture.
After playing only one warm-up match against the Lions, England were in a strong position in the first Test in Perth — 105 runs ahead with nine wickets in hand shortly after lunch on day two. In an astonishing collapse, England were beaten before the day was over and never recovered. Although they won the fourth Test in Melbourne for their first victory in Australia in 14 years, performances elsewhere were abject, with a threadbare squad left ill-prepared for the demands of the tour.
Off-field issues compounded matters. England's reputation suffered when opener Ben Duckett was filmed apparently drunk during public drinking in Noosa. Further controversy emerged when it was revealed that Harry Brook had been struck by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a one-day international during the New Zealand tour that preceded the Ashes.
Off-Field Incidents and Final Straws
Following the Ashes defeat, McCullum, Stokes, and Key were backed to remain in charge. The pair attempted to distance themselves from rumours of a rift that had supposedly developed in Australia. England added backroom staff and implemented a midnight curfew to avoid further controversy.