ECB sacks Brendon McCullum as England Test coach days after Ben Stokes retirement | Cricket News

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday sacked Brendon McCullum as head coach of England’s men’s Test team.The decision comes days after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket following England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year and a 2-1 home Test series loss to New Zealand last month. McCullum’s exit brings an end to the Bazball era, despite England’s review of the Ashes series earlier this year backing both him and ECB managing director Rob Key.In a statement, the ECB said, “Brendon McCullum will stand down as England Men’s Test Head Coach but continue to lead the England Men’s White Ball teams.”McCullum had been England’s Test coach since 2022 and took charge of the white-ball teams in 2025.Reacting to the decision, a “gutted” McCullum said, “I’ve absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. There’ve been some unbelievable highs and a few tough days along the way, but that’s all part of taking on a challenge like this.“It’s been a privilege and an honour, and I’m grateful. Grateful to the players, the staff and the fans who supported us on the journey.“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.“I wish the Test team nothing but success. There’s a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room and they’re a special bunch of lads. I’ll always be backing the boys, with a smile on my face, and hoping they keep taking the game on. I know they’ll continue to make people proud.”Under McCullum, England adopted an attacking style of Test cricket that became known as “Bazball.” The team made a strong start to his tenure, winning home Test series against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-1), before completing a 3-0 away series sweep of Pakistan.However, England could not translate that into success in the World Test Championship. They finished fourth in the 2021-23 cycle, fifth in the 2023-25 cycle and are currently seventh in the 2025-27 standings.McCullum’s tenure also saw several off-field issues.Limited-overs captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a bouncer at a Wellington nightclub in 2025. England’s Ashes squad also faced criticism for a trip to Noosa during the series in Australia. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson later missed the second Test against New Zealand after breaking team curfew.Stokes then retired mid-way through the third and final Test against the Kiwis after reports that he had fallen out with McCullum and England managing director, Rob Key.