After Ben Stokes’ retirement, Brendon McCullum left the post of England Test coach, ‘Baseball’ era is over!

New Delhi: An era has come to an end in English cricket. With Ben Stokes retiring from Test, Brendon McCullum has also left the post of head coach of the red-ball team. The ECB confirmed this on Sunday. Now McCullum will remain the coach of only the white-ball team i.e. ODI and T20.

Picture of England Test changed in 4 years   

After a poor Ashes in Australia in 2022, McCullum was made the coach on a 4-year contract. At that time England had won only 1 match in the last 17 Tests. The pair of Stokes and McCullum completely changed the team as soon as they arrived.

McCullum introduced an aggressive cricket style called ‘Baseball’ to England. The result was visible. This captain-captain duo registered 10 wins in the first 11 Tests. Clean sweeps by New Zealand and Pakistan, chasing big targets – England Test cricket became exciting again.

Thank you, Brendon 🙏 pic.twitter.com/n4E1U2dGf7

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2026

An emotional McCullum said, "It was a lot of fun coaching the Test team. Proud of what we accomplished together. I wish only success for the Test team. There is a lot of talent in that dressing room."  

The rise and fall of baseball   

The start was great, but the results deteriorated in the last round. England suffered 8 defeats in the last 12 Tests. After the series loss to New Zealand and disappointment in major tournaments, questions started being raised on ‘baseball’. McCullum’s departure after Stokes’ retirement marks the end of the partnership that gave a new identity to the English Test.

Still McCullum’s stature is high in English cricket. In the same year, his white-ball team reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup and also became number-1 in the ICC T20 rankings by winning the series against India.

ECB said – right time for change   

England team MD Rob Key said that McCullum changed the thinking of the dressing room and created a new generation of players. "Some of the most memorable moments in recent history have come under Brendan’s coaching. He is leaving the team in a strong position."  

ECB Chief Executive Richard Gold also praised. "Brendon breathed new life into the Test team. Gave great victories. We now feel the time is right to make a change to the Test team ahead of next summer’s Ashes." Now ECB has started the search for a new Test head coach. The Stokes-McCullum era is over, and England are preparing for a new chapter in red-ball cricket.