Bazball no more: England sack McCullum as Test coach days after Stokes retirement

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday sacked Brendon McCullum as head coach of England's men's Test team.The decision comes days after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket following England's 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year and a 2-1 home Test series loss to New Zealand last month. McCullum's exit brings an end to the Bazball era, despite England's review of the Ashes series earlier this year backing both him and ECB managing director Rob Key.In a statement, the ECB said, "Brendon McCullum will stand down as England Men’s Test Head Coach but continue to lead the England Men’s White Ball teams."McCullum had been England's Test coach since 2022 and took charge of the white-ball teams in 2025.Reacting to the decision, a "gutted" McCullum said, “I've absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together.