Brendon McCullum has stepped down as the England men’s team Test coach.

“I’ve absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. There’ve been some unbelievable highs and a few tough days along the way, but that’s all part of taking on a challenge like this,” McCullum said in a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“It’s been a privilege and an honour, and I’m grateful. Grateful to the players, the staff and the fans who supported us on the journey.

Of course I’m gutted not to be continuing, but I respect the decision. My focus now is on giving everything I’ve got to the White Ball teams and helping England keep moving forward,” he added.

“I wish the Test team nothing but success. There’s a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room and they’re a special bunch of lads. I’ll always be backing the boys, with a smile on my face, and hoping they keep taking the game on. I know they’ll continue to make people proud,” he also said.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould said: “Brendon breathed new life into England Men’s Test team during an exciting period which saw some amazing victories, and we’re grateful for all he has given to the role.

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.”

McCullum, whose T20 team reached the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final earlier this year and have just beaten India to become the number one ranked team in the world, will continue as England Men’s white ball Head Coach.

The decision brings a partial end to a controvery-ridden period in England cricket which ended with the abrupt retirement of former captain Ben Stokes.

McCullum’s sacking also comes months after England’s review of the Ashes series which finished with backing for both the Kiwi coach and ECB managing director Rob Key.

A midnight curfew was put in place after the 1-4 series loss to Australia, with the England men’s side constantly facing allegations of an out-of-hand drinking culture.

England was recently mired in the fallout of that curfew being broken during England’s 1-2 series loss to New Zealand, which finally led to a new drinking policy for male cricketers among a host of other behaviour recommendations.

McCullum has been at the helm of the Test, ODI and T20I sides, but he has now lost the red-ball portfolio.

Published on Jul 12, 2026