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Brendon McCullum will step down as England’s Test head coach but will lead the white-ball teams.
McCullum took over the red-ball in the spring of 2022 and produced an immediate upturn in form with his ‘buzzball’ style, winning 11 of his first 13 Tests in charge after England had managed just one win in 17 games prior to his appointment.
However, England have lost eight of their last 12 Tests under the age of 44 – and won just three – following a recent 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand, which followed a 4-1 Ashes hammering in the winter in a flawed tour on and off the field.
Rob Key will continue as England’s managing director of men’s cricket
McCullum said he was “heartbroken” to be stepping down as Test boss, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould saying the time was “right for a change” as England build towards the home Ashes next summer.
England managing director Rob Key – who appointed McCullum four years ago – will retain his job.
McCullum: ‘Privilege’ to coach England Test team
McCullum became white-ball coach in early 2025 and although his first major tournament failed – a group-stage exit in that spring’s Champions Trophy – he led England to the top of the T20 international rankings with a 4–0 win over India.
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Highlights of the fifth T20 International between England and India at Southampton as the hosts won the series 4-0.
England reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup earlier this year before losing by seven runs to eventual champions India, with McCullum also contracted until the end of the next 50-over World Cup in Africa in 2027.
With England not only looking for Ben Stokes to replace McCullum as captain after their defeat by New Zealand at Trent Bridge, but Ben Stokes calling time on his international career.
McCullum said: “I’ve absolutely loved coaching the Test team and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. There have been some incredible highs and some tough days along the way, but that’s part of taking on such a challenge.
“It’s a privilege and an honor, and I’m grateful. Grateful to the players, staff and fans who have supported us on our journey.
“Obviously I can’t continue, but I respect the decision. My focus now is to give what I have to the white-ball teams and help England progress.
McCullum will lead England in white ball cricket
“I wish the Test team nothing but success. There’s a lot of talent in that dressing room and they’re a special group of guys.
“I will always support the boys, with a smile on my face, and hope they continue to play. I know they will make people proud.”
Bazball starts with a bang but then fizzles out
England’s achievements in the baseball era include a 3-0 win over New Zealand at home to kick off the McCullum-Stokes partnership and then a similar result in Pakistan in late 2022, during which they scored 500 on the first day of the Rawalpindi Test.
However, England have not won any of the four marquee five-Test series they have played against India or Australia – drawing and losing to those heavyweights at home – with their over-aggressive batting to their detriment in many cases.
Drinking problems have also blighted the team with white-ball captain Harry Brooke – the front-runner to replace Stokes in Tests, perhaps even more so now after India’s 4-0 T20 rout – hit by a bouncer outside a nightclub in New Zealand last October, the evening before England played one-day internationals.
England’s white-ball captain Harry Brooke was involved in the winter drinking scandal that plagued England
During the Ashes, a video emerged showing batter Ben Duckett apparently drunk during a beach break in Noosa, while Stokes and seam bowler Gus Atkinson missed the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval last month after breaking a midnight curfew installed after a raft of incidents over the winter.
Stokes and Atkinson were cleared of any wrongdoing after an incident at a nightclub in which a member of ECB security staff required stitches after the Saracens academy rugby player threw a punch at Atkinson.
What: McCullum leaves the Test team poised to achieve great things
Regarding McCullum’s departure as Test coach, Key said: “Some of England’s most memorable moments in recent history have come under Brendan’s leadership of the Test team.
“Seeing him build the mentality of the team, to one of the players’ favourites, and seeing him develop a new generation of talent that will be at the heart of the England men’s team for years to come.
“He leaves the Test team well and is set to achieve great things.”
McCullum’s England open their ODI series against India at Edgbaston on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket
Gould added: “Brendan has breathed new life into the England men’s Test team during an exciting period that has seen some amazing wins, and we are grateful for his role.
“We now believe the time is right to make changes to the Test squad as we aim to win the Ashes next summer.”
England vs India Result and Game Play
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