The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was sacked on Sunday Brendon McCullum as head coach of the England men’s Test team.The decision comes after a few days Ben Stokes he retired from international cricket following England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia earlier this year and the 2-1 home defeat by New Zealand last month. McCullum’s exit ends Bazball’s era, although England’s review of the Ashes series earlier this year supported him and ECB chief executive Rob Key.In a statement, the ECB said, “Brendon McCullum will stand down as England Men’s Test Head Coach but will continue to lead England’s Men’s Football teams.”McCullum was England’s Test coach from 2022 and took charge of the white-ball teams in 2025.Commenting on the decision, a “disappointed” McCullum said, “I really enjoy coaching the Test side and I am very proud of what we have achieved together.” There have been incredible ups and downs along the way, but that’s all part of dealing with challenges like this.“It’s been a privilege and an honor, and I’m grateful. I’m grateful to the players, staff and fans who have supported us on this journey.“Of course, I have a problem not to continue, but I respect the decision. My goal now is to give everything I have to the White Ball teams and help England progress.“I don’t wish the Test team any success. There’s a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room and they’re a special group of lads. I’ll always be rooting for the lads, with a smile on my face, hoping they continue to take the game. I know they’ll continue to make people proud.”Under McCullum, England adopted an attacking version of Test cricket known as “Bazball.” The team got off to a strong start to his tenure, winning test matches at home against New Zealand (3-0) and South Africa (2-1), before finishing the series 3-0 in Pakistan.However, England could not translate this into a victory in the World Test Championship. They finished fourth in the 2021-23 cycle, fifth in the 2023-25 ​​cycle and seventh in the 2025-27 cycle.McCullum’s tenure also saw a number of external challenges.Few captain-overs Harry Brook he was involved in an altercation with a bouncer at a Wellington nightclub in 2025. England’s Ashes team was also challenged on a trip to Noosa during the series in Australia. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson later missed the second Test against New Zealand after breaching the team’s curfew.Stokes then retired midway through the third and final Test against the Kiwis after reportedly falling out with McCullum and England’s director general, Rob Key.