The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday sacked Brendon McCullum as head coach of the England 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 Buzzball era, despite England’s review of the Ashes series earlier this year and its support for him and ECB managing director Rob Key.“Brendon McCullum will step down from his position as England men’s Test coach, but will continue to lead the England men’s white-ball teams,” the ECB said in a statement.McCullum has been England’s Test coach since 2022 and took charge of the white-ball teams in 2025.Reacting to the decision, a “devastated” McCullum said: “I have absolutely loved coaching the Test team and I am very proud of what we have achieved together.
There have been some incredible highs and a few tough days along the way, but that’s all part of taking on such a challenge.“It has been a privilege and an honour, and I am grateful, grateful to the players, staff and fans who have supported us on the journey.“Of course I’m sad not to continue, but I respect the decision. My focus now is on giving everything I have to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward.
“I wish the Test team nothing but success. There is a lot of talent in the dressing room and they are a special group of players. I will always support the boys, with a smile on my face, and hope they keep playing. I know they will continue to make people proud.”Under McCullum, England adopted an attacking style of Test cricket which became known as ‘buzzball’. The team made a strong start to his tenure, winning home Test series against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-1), before completing a 3-0 series sweep of Pakistan.However, England were unable to translate this into success in the World Test Championship. They finished fourth in the 2021-23 cycle, fifth in the 2023-25 cycle and currently sit seventh in the 2025-27 standings.McCollum’s tenure has also seen many off-field issues.Limited-overs captain Harry Brook was involved in an altercation with a bouncer at a Wellington nightclub in 2025. England’s Ashes team also faced criticism for a trip to Noosa during the series in Australia. Ben Stokes and Jos Atkinson later missed the second Test against New Zealand after breaking the team curfew.Stokes then retired midway through the third and final Test against the Kiwis after reports that he had fallen out with McCullum and England’s managing director, Rob Key.