Brendon McCullum for England [Source: AFP]The Ashes 2025-26 Tour for England has not been the most pleasant for Brendon McCullum and Co., and the consequences with harsh criticisms are already creeping in months after the series ended.Former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott have harshly slammed the head coach and the reviewer of the team for not pointing out the faults evenly. Notably, the Three White Lions lost, The Ashes 2025-26, 4-1 against the host Australia, and amid some ‘alcohol and drinking’ concerns, Brendon McCullum’s troop, led by Ben Stokes, faced the worst calendar year for the team. A Nightmare Down Under For England ECB chief executive Richard Gould and managing director Rob Key were verbally bruised by Boycott for the leniency they showed with the review of the Three White Lions. Notably, Despite the series loss, the leadership was retained by the ECB. Richard Gould stated that it was not the time to overhaul everything, as the focus remained on continuing the Bazball-style approach rather than abandoning it. Although the review highlighted poor scheduling, including a lack of adequate warm-up matches in Australia, it is worth noting that the first Test took place on November 21, 2025, in Perth, where the visitors failed to win as Australia secured an eight-wicket victory. The second Test was also won by the hosts on December 4, while England managed their only win in the fourth Test at Melbourne by four wickets. Nevertheless, these defeats compounded the ECB’s concerns, which Boycott has now highlighted clearly. Also Read: Ben Stokes Issues Official Statement On England Captaincy After Ashes DefeatGeoffrey Slams ECB’s Review of Brendon McCullum & Co. The 85-year-old cricketer raised concerns over how the decision was made to retain head coach McCullum, suggesting that Gould and Rob Key are unlikely to gain much backing for their decision. “The worst pre-planned Ashes tour in my lifetime, and nobody is held to account or to blame? In the famous words of John McEnroe: “You cannot be serious.” The review was done by Richard Gould, the England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive, who has never played county or Test match cricket, and he decided nobody is to blame.” “What planet is he on? Is he oblivious to what the majority of former England players and cricket journalists are saying? Gould says it will not be a popular decision to keep Brendon McCullum, and he is damn right,” Boycott wrote in his column for The Telegraph. “Rob Key, the men’s director of cricket, should take a lot of blame for allowing this situation to become so ingrained in the coach, the players and the backroom staff. He appointed McCullum, and he is his boss. Key has played Test cricket and lots of county cricket, so he has no excuse for doing nothing.” Boycott also pointed fingers at the accountability of the management and the staff for the ill-fated Ashes tour that resulted in the team’s face loss. “Like me, cricket supporters will be asking how McCullum and Key could make so many bad decisions on the Australian tour and yet the chief executive of English cricket decides there is no need to make any changes. Where is the accountability?” I’m sure they promised him they would do better, but leopards don’t change their spots, so it looks like we will get the same type of Test cricket,” he wrote. Boycott Slams 'Bazball' ApproachWhile Boycott appreciated Brendon McCullum for his ‘Bazball’ approach, he also blamed complacency to hit the team after his arrival. “Nobody wants to see McCullum lose his job because we all respect, admire and appreciate what he has done for our England team. He has been a breath of fresh air for English cricket, freeing up the minds of the players and getting them to express themselves to give us some exciting cricket and magnificent wins.” “In trying to create a free-spirited team, he has made them too comfortable and complacent. They know they will not get dropped, whatever their performances or conduct on or off the field,” he added. Nevertheless, Brendon McCullum is still at the helm with his head coach stint to contractually expire after the 2027 World Cup. For now, England will be looking to salvage their national form as they will face New Zealand for a 3 match Test series starting from June.Also Read: CSK Players Who Might Not Get A Single Match In IPL 2026
