Brendon McCullum apologized to England fans after being sacked as the team’s Test coach, admitting that the team did not deliver the expected results under his leadership. The former New Zealand captain will continue as England’s white-ball coach but has been sacked from the Test role he had held since 2022. Speaking at Edgbaston on Monday, ahead of England’s ODI series against India, McCullum accepted the decision and said it was time for a new voice.
McCullum confirms he has been sacked
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Sunday that McCullum would no longer be England’s Test coach. McCullum made it clear that the decision came from the board.“Yeah, I got a tap on the shoulder,” I said.“I was disappointed, but at the same time I fully respect the decision. We are in a results business and fundamentally our results were not good enough. It’s time for someone else to have a go.”McCullum finished with a Test coaching record of 27 wins, two draws and 20 defeats.
“I can only say sorry”
McCullum admitted that England’s failure to win these major series was the biggest disappointment of his tenure and took full responsibility.“We weren’t good enough to win those big series, against India and Australia. So I think I can only regret it,” he said.He also accepted responsibility for the team’s culture and performance.“I was the leader of that group. I was in charge of the team culturally, in charge of the team tactically, in charge of the results of the team as well.“I’ve been around this game for 20 years and I know if you don’t get the results that someone else needs an opportunity. I put my hand down for that and accept that it wasn’t good enough.”
Emotional final alongside Ben Stokes
McCullum said there was something fitting about dropping Teste’s setup soon after Ben Stokes retired from the format.Speaking to the BBC, he revealed that the former England captain had been with him following the news.“I got some nice messages from Stokesy,” he said. “I think, in a romantic way, there’s something about Stokesy and me going together. We started together and we’re going together, and I have no problem with that.”McCullum and captain Ben Stokes transformed England’s approach to Test cricket with their aggressive style, popularly known as ‘Bazball’. England won 10 of McCullum’s first 11 Tests in charge and won praise for playing fearless cricket.However, the results have deteriorated in the last stages of his tenure. England have lost seven of their last nine Tests, including a 2-1 home defeat in New Zealand last month, which also marked Stokes’ retirement from Test cricket.England also failed to win one of their biggest Test rivalries during McCullum’s time. They drew at home against India and Australia 2-2 and lost both away contests.