Ben Stokes Plans Meeting with Brendon McCullum to Map England Cricket Improvements Before Summer
Ben Stokes intends for Brendon McCullum to remain as England's head coach and has plans to hold a meeting to discuss improvements before the summer season. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) leadership remains cautious about making sweeping changes to the coaching structure, with McCullum's continuation largely dependent on Stokes's endorsement following the Ashes series.
An internal review is underway to assess the team's Ashes campaign, preparation prior to the series, tour training, and backroom staff. This review will consider gaps such as the absence of a dedicated fielding coach or wicketkeeping mentor and the short-term nature of the bowling coach David Saker's contract. Rob Key's inquiry into the Noosa mid-tour break found no player wrongdoing, but scrutiny will be applied to team culture and the value of McCullum-led extracurricular activities. Key supports a streamlined coaching setup.
Stokes expressed confidence that he and McCullum form the right partnership to elevate England cricket to the next level and said they would discuss potential improvements during their time off. McCullum has continued his white-ball coaching duties through to the end of the 2027 World Cup, and Stokes noted that this dual role has not negatively affected his relationship with the Test squad.
However, England's Test team results have declined since McCullum assumed these extra responsibilities, recording 22 wins from 35 matches before compared to only 4 wins from 10 afterwards. This period includes a 2-2 home Test series draw with India amidst recent disappointing performances. The ODI side's record stands at 4 wins and 11 losses during this time, including a group-stage exit at last year's Champions Trophy. Conversely, the T20 side holds an 8-5 record as it approaches the February World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, a factor that could influence coaching arrangements for the top teams.
