The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday fired Brendon McCullum as head coach of the England men’s test team.The decision comes days later Ben Stokes he retired from international cricket after England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year and a 2-1 home Test series loss in New Zealand last month. McCullum’s exit brings an end to the Bazball era, despite England’s review of the Ashes series earlier this year backing both him and ECB chief executive Rob Key.In a statement, the ECB said: “Brendon McCullum will step down as England’s Test Head Coach but will continue to lead England’s White Ball teams.”McCullum was England’s Test coach from 2022 and took charge of the white-ball teams in 2025.Reacting to the decision, an “overwhelmed” McCullum said: “I’ve absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. There have been some incredible highs and a few hard days along the way, but it’s all part of taking on a challenge like this.“It’s been a privilege and an honor, and I’m grateful. Grateful to the players, staff and fans who have supported us on the journey.“Of course I’m not down to continue, but I respect the decision. My focus now is to give everything I’ve got to the White Ball teams and help England keep moving forward.“I wish the Testa team nothing but success. There is a hell of a lot of talent in that way and they are a special bunch of lads. I will always be the support of the boys, with a smile on my face, and hoping that they will continue to take the game.Under McCullum, England adopted an attacking style of Test cricket that became known as “Bazball”. The team made a strong start to their tenure, winning the home Test series against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-1), before completing a 3-0 series sweep away to Pakistan.However, England could not translate into success in the World Test Championship. They finished fourth in the 2021-23 cycle, fifth in the 2023-25 cycle and are currently seventh in the 2025-27 classification.McCullum’s tenure has also seen many problems off the field.Limited 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 Gus Atkinson later missed the second Test against New Zealand after breaking the team’s curfew.Stokes withdrew midway through the third and final Test against the Kiwis following reports that he had fallen out with McCullum and England manager Rob Key.