Brendon McCullum uncertain over Test future after England’s latest Ashes setback

Brendon McCullum has insisted he remains the right man to lead England forward despite presiding over another damaging Ashes defeat in Australia, though the head coach admitted he is unsure whether he will still be in charge of the Test side next summer.

England’s 82-run loss in the third Test handed Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead, allowing the hosts to retain the Ashes inside just 11 days.

The defeat extended England’s winless streak in Australia to 18 Tests — with only two draws — and dealt a significant blow to the much-hyped “Bazball” philosophy, which had seen England arrive confident of springing an upset.

Speaking after the match, England captain Ben Stokes reaffirmed his commitment to the role, while acknowledging his side had been “poor” throughout the contest.

Much of the criticism has focused on England’s preparation for the series, which consisted of a single three-day warm-up match against England Lions at Lilac Hill.

Concerns have also been raised about England’s lack of adaptability to Australian conditions and a perceived hands-off coaching approach — issues that ultimately fall under McCullum’s remit as head coach.

After an encouraging start following his appointment in the summer of 2022, England’s results have dipped. 

Since the start of 2024, England have lost 13 Tests and won 12, leaving McCullum and Stokes with an overall record of 25 victories and 17 defeats from 44 matches.

The current Ashes collapse means England have now failed to win a five-match Test series in four attempts under McCullum.

Earlier this year, McCullum’s contract was extended until 2027 by managing director Rob Key, a deal that also saw him take charge of England’s white-ball teams.

Any decision to part ways with the New Zealander could reportedly cost the England and Wales Cricket Board more than £1 million.

Despite the mounting pressure, McCullum said he remains keen to continue in the role, even as he acknowledged uncertainty over his long-term future.

“I don’t know,” McCullum said when asked if he would still be Test coach at the start of the 2026 English summer. “It’s not really up to me.

“I’ll just keep trying to do the job, learn the lessons we haven’t quite got right here and make some adjustments. Those questions are for someone else.

“It’s a pretty good gig. You travel the world, try to play exciting cricket and get the best out of people. I think we’ve made progress from when I took over. We’re not the finished article, but we’ve definitely improved and developed an identity.

“Now it’s about showing that identity in the last two Tests and trying to salvage something from this series.”

England travelled to Melbourne on Monday ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

McCullum ruled out calling in reinforcements from outside the squad, though changes are expected, with Jacob Bethell and Matthew Potts in contention to replace Ollie Pope and Brydon Carse.

While the Ashes have already slipped away, England still have two opportunities to end their long wait for a Test win in Australia. Their last victory came in Sydney in 2011 during the historic 2010–11 Ashes series.

Encouraged by a more competitive display in Adelaide, McCullum believes England can still take positives from the remaining matches.

“This one is going to sting,” he said. “But we know we’ve got a job to do in Melbourne and Sydney. If we can find a way to win one of the next two Tests, then that means something.”