Brendon McCullum fired as England test coach but will continue with T20 and ODI teams
Brendon McCullum has been dismissed as the coach of England's test cricket team but will remain in charge of the T20 and ODI squads. The decision follows a series of poor performances, effectively ending the 'Bazball' era of aggressive test cricket.
Why it matters
The change marks a major strategic shift for English cricket as the board prepares for the upcoming Ashes series.
Brendon McCullum has been fired as coach of England's test cricket team after four years in charge but will continue to lead the country's T20 and ODI sides.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Sunday (July 12, 2026) that McCullum "will stand down," with the New Zealander saying in the ECB statement he was “gutted not to be continuing” with the test team — suggesting it was a decision taken by those above him.
“But I respect the decision,” McCullum added. “My focus now is on giving everything I’ve got to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward.”
The announcement came two weeks after England's series loss to New Zealand — its first loss at home in a series of three tests or more since 2012.
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