Southport, England – In a significant shake-up to English cricket leadership announced Sunday by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Brendon McCullum will step down from his position as head coach of England’s men’s Test cricket team after four years in the role. The New Zealand-born coach will, however, retain his leadership posts for England’s T20 and One Day International (ODI) white-ball sides.
McCullum’s departure comes on the heels of back-to-back disappointing Test results for the national side, beginning with a 4-1 Ashes series loss to Australia last winter, where the team faced widespread public scrutiny over questions of inconsistent professionalism. Just two weeks before the ECB’s announcement, England suffered a home Test series defeat to New Zealand – that result marked England’s first home series loss in a three-Test or longer format since 2012. The shake-up also comes shortly after former Test captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket following the New Zealand series, closing the chapter on the aggressive, high-risk style of play coined “Bazball” that defined McCullum and Stokes’ tenure together.
In the official ECB statement, McCullum expressed clear disappointment over the decision to part ways with the Test program, saying he was “gutted not to be continuing” with the side – a phrasing that indicates the change was initiated by ECB leadership, not McCullum himself. “But I respect the decision,” he added. “My focus now is on giving everything I’ve got to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward.”
Even as the governing body opted for a change ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia, ECB leaders were unanimous in praising McCullum’s transformative impact on English Test cricket. ECB CEO Richard Gould highlighted the New Zealander’s role in revitalizing the national program: “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 added that the decision to make a change now was rooted in the board’s goal of securing Ashes victory next summer.
The ECB described the Bazball era, defined by McCullum’s emphasis on aggressive, fearless batting and match-risking strategy, as one of the most exciting and progressive periods in the history of England’s Test cricket. Rob Key, ECB’s men’s cricket director, echoed that praise, noting McCullum’s lasting legacy in reshaping the team’s mentality and developing a new cohort of young cricketing talent that will lead England’s program for years to come. “He leaves the test team well-set and poised to achieve great things,” Key said.
Reflecting on his four-year tenure leading the Test side, McCullum struck an optimistic tone about his time in the role. “It’s been an absolute privilege to watch him shape the mentality of the team, to one the players have loved, and see him develop a new generation of talent who will be at the heart of England men’s teams for years to come,” he said. “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. 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.”
McCullum has held combined red-ball (Test) and white-ball coaching roles for England since January 2025. Notably, his white-ball regime has just delivered a standout result: England’s T20 side completed a dominant 4-0 home series sweep over India earlier this month, catapulting the team to the top of the ICC men’s T20 world rankings. England’s next Test match campaign is scheduled to begin next month against Pakistan, with the ECB expected to name McCullum’s replacement for the Test role in the coming weeks.