McCullum’s Tenure and ‘Bazball’ Approach

By Jack Thompson — 14 July 2026 — 5 min read

McCullum’s Tenure and ‘Bazball’ Approach

Brendon McCullum has concluded his tenure as the head coach of the England Test team, a period marked by an aggressive style of play dubbed ‘Bazball’. His appointment in May 2022 followed a challenging period for England, which had secured only one victory in their previous 17 Tests. This included a 4-0 defeat in an Australian Ashes series and a failure to win a series in their last five outings, a first in 145 years of Test cricket. The decision to bring in McCullum came after a 10-wicket loss to the West Indies in Grenada, which also led to Joe Root’s resignation as captain and Chris Silverwood’s departure as coach.

McCullum, who retired from Test cricket in 2016 after playing 101 Tests, was known for fostering a positive team environment, a quality he demonstrated with the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders. He found a willing partner in new captain Ben Stokes to revitalise the team. The impact was swift, with England winning 10 of their first 11 Tests under McCullum, characterised by powerful hitting and bold captaincy. Notable moments included chasing down 299 runs in 72 overs against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, with Jonny Bairstow scoring a century in 77 balls, and a record 378-run chase against India at Edgbaston. These home victories were followed by a 3-0 series win away in Pakistan, further cementing the ‘Bazball’ philosophy.

However, the approach began to face scrutiny. A two-Test series in New Zealand ended 1-1, including a one-run defeat at the Basin Reserve. Critics suggested that the free-form style of cricket had devolved into recklessness. Instances like a bold declaration on day one of the 2023 Ashes opener at Edgbaston, which Australia went on to win by two wickets, and a collapse at Lord’s, where batters fell into a short ball trap, highlighted these concerns. The team’s confidence was perceived by some to have shifted towards arrogance. Results became inconsistent, with a 28-run win in Hyderabad being overshadowed by an eventual 4-1 series defeat. A victory in the opening Test against Pakistan in Multan was followed by a 2-1 series loss. England also experienced another series defeat this English summer, resulting in a record of seven losses in nine Tests.

Search for a Successor

Following McCullum’s departure, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now searching for a new Test head coach. ECB chief executive Richard Gould indicated that between six and 10 candidates will be considered, with the aim of having a replacement in place for the upcoming series against Pakistan in August. The first Test against Pakistan is scheduled for 19 August at Headingley. The team is also currently without a captain, as Ben Stokes announced his retirement during the series defeat by New Zealand in late June.

Gould stated that the selection process will be targeted, and managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key will lead the conversations with potential candidates. The new head coach will have input, alongside Key and national selector Marcus North, in appointing a new captain. Gould also confirmed that McCullum will remain in his role as the white-ball coach, and the new Test coach will need to collaborate with him to manage player commitments across international and franchise cricket.

While England hopes to have a new coach for the three-Test series against Pakistan, Gould acknowledged that an interim solution might be necessary if it leads to the best long-term decision. The ECB is also open to considering a model where a coach could maintain their franchise commitments alongside the national role.

Potential Candidates

Several individuals are being considered for the coaching position. Andy Flower, who previously led England to an Ashes victory in Australia in 2010-11, is a prominent name. He coached England from 2009 to 2014, departing after a 5-0 away Ashes defeat. Since then, Flower has achieved success in franchise cricket, including consecutive Indian Premier League titles with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and a Hundred title with Trent Rockets in 2022. Former England bowler Steven Finn suggested that securing Flower would likely require significant financial investment.

Jonathan Trott, a former England top-order batter who played 120 matches for his country, is another candidate. He served as head coach for Afghanistan, where his team defeated England at the 2023 World Cup. Finn noted that Trott’s coaching style is similar to Flower’s and that his experience with Afghanistan would have quickly developed his coaching abilities. Andrew Flintoff, an England great who played 227 matches, has also moved into coaching, leading Northern Superchargers and the England Lions. However, he is not considered among the leading contenders.

Other potential candidates include Richard Dawson, currently head coach of Glamorgan, who previously held coaching roles within the England development setup and was an assistant when England won the 2022 T20 World Cup. Gareth Batty, head coach of Surrey, led his team to three consecutive County Championship titles between 2022 and 2024. Experienced coaches from Australia are also being considered, such as Darren Lehmann, who led Australia for nearly five years and won the Ashes 5-0 in 2013-14. Justin Langer, another former Australia coach known for his disciplined approach, is currently with Lucknow Super Giants and will take over Manchester Super Giants this summer. Ryan Campbell, head coach of Durham, who previously coached the Netherlands, is also on the list. Campbell led Durham to promotion in his first season, but the team was relegated two years later.

Source: rnz.co.nz