Brendon McCullum sacked as coach of England test team

Brendon McCullum has been sacked as England test coach but will remain in charge of the white-ball sides.

McCullum described himself as “gutted” but respectful of the decision after his four-year spell leading the test team was brought to an end.

While the official England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) press release said McCullum would “stand down” as test coach, Richard Gould, the chief executive, said “the time is right to make a change as we target victory in the Ashes next year”.

It appears that Rob Key will remain in his post as managing director of cricket.

McCullum’s last test resulted in defeat and a 2-1 series loss to New Zealand at Trent Bridge, a match in which captain Ben Stokes abruptly retired mid-game. The pair had been inextricably linked as the coach and captain behind the Bazball revolution, and they will sign off together after a nosedive in results.

McCullum remains in charge of the white-ball XIs, with the T20 team going to No 1 in the rankings on Saturday after thrashing India 4-0. A one-day international (ODI) series against the same side begins on Tuesday.

The decision leaves England seeking a new coach and captain before their next test, which starts on August 19 at Headingley against Pakistan.

As it stands, no one has been placed in interim charge, and England appear intent on having a permanent appointment in place - after a recruitment process - by then.

McCullum said: “I’ve absolutely loved coaching the test side and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. There have 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.”

When McCullum and Stokes were brought together in 2022, England had won one test in 17. The duo immediately breathed life into England’s test cricket, winning 11 of their first 12 matches in charge. But they failed to win any of their four marquee series against India or Australia - both home series were drawn 2-2, and they lost both tours 4-1.

Stokes and McCullum’s views on the game – once perfectly aligned – diverged in their final year in charge. McCullum was not sacked after last winter’s Ashes, but has been now.

Gould said: “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.”

Key insisted McCullum left the test team “well-set and poised to achieve great things”, despite a run of just two wins in their past 10 tests. McCullum was initially only test coach. However, when Matthew Mott was sacked as white-ball coach two years ago, he was given the job in all formats. Now, England are returning to a split-coaching structure.

McCullum’s final series in charge was marred by disciplinary issues, with Stokes and Gus Atkinson celebrating the first test win at Lord’s by going out in London. While in a nightclub on the King’s Road, a Saracens academy rugby player swung a punch at Atkinson.

England were furious, believing a curfew introduced after the Ashes had been breached, only for a long disciplinary review to reveal it had not been codified clearly enough. Stokes was left out of the second test at the Oval, returning for one match at Trent Bridge.

McCullum was not drawn on his future or who should be test captain when speaking to the media at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on Saturday evening. The news was made official on Sunday lunchtime.