![Brendon McCullum [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1783859335627_BrendonMcCullum.jpg?type=hq)
Brendon McCullum [Source: AFP]
In a massive development, New Zealand veteran and current England head coach Brendon McCullum has been stripped of his role, as ordered by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
McCullum, who has been the head coach of the England men's Test team since May 2022, fast-tracked the team's approach with an aggressive brand of cricket.
Brendon McCullum stripped of Test coaching duties
Brendon McCullum has been sacked as England's Test coach. However, he will continue to lead the white-ball teams, as he has been doing.
Notably, Brendon McCullum has been the head coach of the England men's Test team since May 12, 2022. Although he hasn't enjoyed consistent success during his tenure, that is reportedly the reason why he is now set to be removed from his role.
McCullum, who wasn't certain about his future in England's Test setup but remained confident of retaining the job, might now have to put an end to that optimism despite receiving constant backing from Rob Key, the managing director of England men's cricket.
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The Bazball era is set to come to an end
McCullum, the man behind England's Bazball concept, will now have to adopt a different approach with the English cricket team, who, under Ben Stokes and McCullum, developed a completely new perspective towards red-ball cricket.
It was an ultra-aggressive and fearless style of play that England adopted to speed up the traditionally slow-paced Test format. There was no fear of failure among the players, with scores escalating quickly because of their constant attacking intent with the bat.
Although Brendon McCullum himself was never a big fan of the term "Bazball," his approach was certainly as fierce as his playing days for New Zealand.
England Test team’s performance under Brendon McCullum
Under McCullum, the England men's Test team experienced a roller-coaster ride. England played over 40 Test matches under his leadership, and the first 19 Tests produced excellent results because of the Bazball approach, with the team winning 14 matches and losing four.
England recorded historic victories against New Zealand, South Africa, and completed a 3-0 sweep in Pakistan under McCullum's guidance.
However, the downfall began later, with one of the biggest setbacks being England's struggles in the 2025-26 Ashes series against Australia. Under McCullum, England have played a total of 49 Test matches, winning 27, losing 20, and drawing only two.
This highlighted that his tenure was a bittersweet one, with a respectable but far from dominant winning percentage.
The line may ultimately have been drawn after England lost 12 Test matches over the last two years, particularly during the Ashes, where they managed to win only one of the five matches against Australia.
These disappointing results and the repeated setbacks, coupled with the apparent decline in the effectiveness of the Bazball approach, might have prompted the ECB to change its direction.
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