‘I can only say sorry’ – Brendon McCullum rues Test failues against India and Australia

Brendon McCullum elaborated on his feelings and emotions after his departure as the head coach of England’s Test team. The former New Zealand cricketer’s decision to step down was announced on Sunday, July 12, roughly a week after Ben Stokes said goodbye to international cricket, ending his tenure with the English side.

Recent results under the New Zealand skipper had waned in the red-ball game, with the Three Lions losing seven of their last nine Tests, including a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Australia in the winter Ashes. The final nail in the coffin for McCullum was the 1-2 series loss to New Zealand. McCullum, who stays on as the white-ball coach, put further emphasis on getting the best out of his team ahead of the ODI series against India.

“I think you kind of understand [there was] a little bit of 3D chess at times where you can see what’s unfolding and you can see how things work. Make sure you’re able to detach that uncertainty and not allow other people to see what was going on, and just focus on trying to get the best out of your team.

“For me, now it’s about focussing all me attention, enthusiasm and knowledge I have of these players, the game and English cricket into the white-ball, to try to get us in a position where we’re able to lift trophies and be a great representation on the field and off the field for the English fans, and for all those who support the English cricket team,” McCullum said, ahead of the first ODI, as quoted by Cricinfo.

Under McCullum, England played 49 Tests, winning 27, losing 20 and drawing two. The team played an aggressive brand of cricket, which often took opponents by storm but also proved their own undoing on occasions.

Despite the positive records, they were unable to win a series against Australia and India, with twin 2-2 draws at home and twin 4-1 hammerings away from home. McCullum offered his apologies for the team’s poor performances in the big series against Australia and India but takes pride in his four-year tenure, labelling it as a major highlight.

“That’s probably for other people to assess. From my point of view I’ve absolutely loved the last four years, I’ve felt incredibly privileged to be England’s men’s Test head coach. I feel over the course of 20-odd years in this sport, the last four years have been possibly the biggest highlight I’ve had. I’ve always been incredibly grateful for the opportunity, I’ve felt humbled to be in that position and fundamentally wanted to get the best outcome for English cricket, for all those that support the team.

“I thank everyone for all their involvement and commitment and investment for what we’ve tried to do over the last four and a half years. We just weren’t quite able to win those big series, against India and Australia, the two marquee series. We just weren’t able to get the results and for that I guess I can only say sorry,” McCullum added.

Want to do what’s right for English cricket across formats: McCullum

McCullum was on the other side of the coin when he was hired as the Test coach in 2022, splitting the roles with Australian Matthew Mott. Mott was dismissed in late 2024, with McCullum taking over the white-ball role. McCullum stated that he will be excited to work with the new Test coach in a collaborative manner. The England and Wales Cricket Board has yet to name McCullum’s replacement as the red-ball coach.

“I’m quite fortunate. Motty is a good mate of mine and he was probably a bit unlucky. He didn’t get the contact time but he maybe didn’t have the relationship when he first came in. I’m in a fortunate position where those relationships have been built over a period and maybe bit of reduced contact time won’t be such a big problem.

“There’s lots to unpack. It’s still fresh, and there’s no Test coach in place at the moment. When they are announced then we’ll work collaboratively together to make sure across all three forms of the game we’re able to do what’s right for English cricket,” McCullum said.

McCullum and England completed a dominant 4-0 sweep in the five-match T20I series against India, taking the number 1 spot in the T20 rankings from their rivals.

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