SOUTHPORT, England (AP) 鈥� Brendon McCullum has been fired as coach of England’s test cricket team after four years in charge but will continue to lead the country’s T20 and ODI sides.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Sunday that McCullum “will stand down,” with the New Zealander saying in the ECB statement he was 鈥済utted not to be continuing鈥� with the test team 鈥� suggesting it was a decision taken by those above him.
鈥淏ut I respect the decision,鈥� McCullum added. 鈥淢y focus now is on giving everything I鈥檝e got to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward.鈥�
The announcement came two weeks after England’s 鈥� its first loss at home in a series of three tests or more since 2012.
That came on the heels of a 4-1 Ashes series loss Down Under in which the England team came under scrutiny for its perceived lack of professionalism.
after the New Zealand series and now McCullum has gone, too, signaling the end of the so-called 鈥淏azball鈥� era 鈥� an entertaining but often flawed period for test cricket in England.
鈥淏rendon breathed new life into England men鈥檚 test team during an exciting period which saw some amazing victories, and we鈥檙e grateful for all he has given to the role,” said Richard Gould, CEO of the ECB. “We now believe that the time is right to make a change for the test team as we target victory in the Ashes next summer.鈥�
The ECB called the 鈥淏azball鈥� era 鈥� when McCullum’s team played aggressive, fearless cricket 鈥� one of the most 鈥渆xciting and progressive periods鈥� in England’s test-playing history.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an absolute privilege to watch him shape the mentality of the team,” ECB director Rob Key said, “to one the players have loved, and see him develop a new generation of talent who will be at the heart of England men鈥檚 teams for years to come.
“He leaves the test team well-set and poised to achieve great things.鈥�
McCullum said there had been 鈥渟ome unbelievable highs and a few tough days along the way, but that鈥檚 all part of taking on a challenge like this.鈥�
鈥淚 wish the test team nothing but success,” he said. “There鈥檚 a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room and they鈥檙e a special bunch of lads. I鈥檒l always be backing the boys, with a smile on my face, and hoping they keep taking the game on. I know they鈥檒l continue to make people proud.鈥�
England’s next test series is against Pakistan starting next month.
McCullum has combined his white and red-ball roles since January 2025.
England’s T20 team has just thrashed India 4-0 in a home series to become the No. 1-ranked side in the world.
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