ECB sacks Brendan McCullum as England Test coach days after Ben Stokes retires Cricket News

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sacked on Sunday Brendan McCallum Head coach of the England men’s Test team.A decision will be made in a few days Ben Stokes He retired from international cricket following England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year and their 2-1 loss to New Zealand in the home Test series last month. McCullum’s exit ends the Bazeboll era, although England’s review of the Ashes series earlier this year backed him and ECB managing director Rob Key.“Brendan McCullum will step down as England men’s Test head coach but will continue to lead the England men’s white-ball team,” the ECB said in a statement.McCallum will be England Test team coach from 2022 and will take charge of the white-ball team in 2025.McCallum reacted “sadly” to the decision, saying: “I absolutely love coaching the Test team and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. There have been some incredible highs and tough days along the way, but it’s all part of taking on a challenge like this.“It’s an honor and I’m grateful. Thank you to the players, staff and fans who have supported us along the way.“Of course, I’m sad that I can’t stay with the team, but I respect the decision. My focus now is to give everything I have to the white team and help England move forward.”“I wish the Test team every success. There is a lot of talent in the dressing room and they are a special group of lads. I will always support the boys with a smile on my face and hope they continue to play. I know they will continue to make people proud.”Under McCullum, England adopted an attacking style of Test cricket known as “Bazball”. The team got off to a strong start during their tenure, beating New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-1) in the home Test series before sweeping Pakistan 3-0 in the away series.However, England failed to translate that into World Test Championship success. They were fourth in 2021-23, fifth in 2023-25, and currently seventh in 2025-27.McCallum’s tenure has also been marked by some off-field issues.Limited overs captain Harry Brooke In 2025, he got into an altercation with a bouncer at a Wellington nightclub. England’s Ashes team were also criticized for traveling to Noosa during the Australia series. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson subsequently missed the second Test against New Zealand for breaching team curfew.Stokes subsequently retired midway through the third and final Test against New Zealand after reports emerged that he had fallen out with McCullum and England general manager Rob Key.