McCullum steps down as England Test coach, to continue in white-ball role

Brendon McCullum has been stood down as England's Test head coach, bringing an end to the four-year partnership with Ben Stokes that transformed the side's identity since 2022 but ultimately fell short of delivering an Ashes triumph, either home or away.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday that McCullum will continue as head coach of the men's white-ball teams, but his stint with the Test side has been brought to a close as England begin the search for a successor ahead of next summer's Ashes.

"I've absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together," he said. "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."

The decision follows England's 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year and comes just weeks after Stokes retired from international cricket. Although both men retained the ECB's backing after a post-tour review, the Ashes exposed differences in approach that had remained largely behind the scenes. Ahead of the home summer, Stokes dismissed suggestions of a rift, insisting the pair remained aligned and would simply work together "in a slightly different way" after four years in charge.

The relationship was tested further during the recent home series against New Zealand. Stokes was investigated after breaching the team's midnight curfew following a nightclub incident and was dropped for the second Test, with neither McCullum nor managing director Rob Key offering the unequivocal public backing. Stokes returned for the series finale at Trent Bridge, where he announced his retirement from international cricket midway through the Test.

McCullum, who had said after Stokes' retirement that his "enthusiasm for English cricket" had "never wavered" and that he wanted to take the Test side forward under a new captain, will now do so only in the limited-overs formats.

"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," ECB chief executive Richard Gould said. "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."

McCullum, whose contract runs until the end of 2027, was appointed Test coach in 2022 and, alongside Stokes, ushered in an aggressive style of cricket that became synonymous with "Bazball". In September 2024, McCullum's responsibilities expanded when he was handed the white-ball teams as well, replacing Matthew Mott in a move designed to unify England's coaching structure.

Under McCullum, and with Harry Brook as captain, England reached the semifinal of this year's T20 World Cup and recently climbed to No. 1 in the ICC men's T20I rankings after defeating India 4-0.

"Some of England's most memorable moments in recent history have occurred under Brendon's leadership of the Test team," managing director Rob Key said. "It's been an absolute privilege to watch him shape the mentality of the team... He leaves the Test team well-set and poised to achieve great things."

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