McCullum reflects after stepping down as England Test coach

Brendon McCullum’s tenure as head coach of England’s Test side came to an end on Sunday, 12 July, after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced his decision to step down.

McCullum spent four years at the helm of the Test team, finishing with a record of 27 wins, 20 defeats and two draws. However, a run of disappointing results in the longest format, including a 2-1 series loss to New Zealand following a 4-1 Ashes defeat, brought his stint as Test coach to a close.

The former New Zealand international will, however, continue as England’s white-ball head coach and speaking on the eve of the ODI series against India, reflected fondly on his time in charge of the Test side.

"I look back on the time fondly and thank everyone that was involved in it,” he said. “There have been moments where things could have turned various ways and we might be sitting here with a different discussion. You can't live in those moments, either. 

“You're grateful for the opportunity, grateful for the relationships and efforts everyone has put in. 

“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.”

Brendon McCullum admitted that his inability to win the marquee Test series against Australia and India was a significant factor in his decision to step away from the role.

The 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand brought the Ben Stokes–Brendon McCullum era to an end // Getty Images

During his tenure, England could only manage 2-2 home series draws against Australia (2023) and India (2025), while suffering heavy 4-1 defeats away from home against both sides.

“I don't think we got what we wanted really,” he added. “Fundamentally, you want to be winning the big series. India and Australia are the marquee series and if you don't win those you haven't quite been able to achieve what you wanted to. 

“I thought we had opportunities against both of those quality oppositions and we achieved some good stuff over the four years but, fundamentally, the results didn't live up to it at the back end, hence the decision was made.”

With the Test setup now behind him, Brendon McCullum has already shifted his focus to the future in his role as England's white-ball coach, with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 firmly in his sights.

England were dominant in the recently concluded T20I series against India, sealing a commanding 4-0 victory and climbing to the top of the Men's T20I rankings, and will be hoping to carry that momentum into the ODI series, which begins on 14 July.

Since their dramatic 2019 ODI World Cup triumph, however, England have struggled to replicate that success in 50-over ICC events, finishing seventh with just three wins while defending their title in 2023 before enduring a winless campaign at the 2025 Champions Trophy, the latter falling under McCullum's tenure.

McCullum knows there is plenty of work to be done and is already looking ahead to rebuilding England into genuine contenders for the 2027 World Cup.

"I think I'm super excited about the white ball side. The T20 side is obviously in a pretty good space at the moment, the one-day side we've got some work to do but I'm confident we'll be able to continue making improvements.

"With a World Cup not too far away we've got an opportunity to be a realistic chance of lifting the trophy, not just for the guys in the dressing room but all the fans who support this team. That's where my focus is at the moment."