Brendon McCullum vows to work with England's next Test coach after white-ball double win
Synopsis
Stripped of his Test role weeks ago, Brendon McCullum has bounced back with two white-ball series wins over India and is now calling for collaboration with England's incoming Test coach. With Justin Langer and Jonathan Trott in the frame and a Pakistan Test series imminent, the ECB's next appointment will define how smoothly England's split-format structure actually functions.
Key Takeaways
Brendon McCullum pledged collaborative working with England's next Test head coach at a press conference on 20 July in London .
England sealed a 2-1 ODI series win over India with a record 387/3 at Lord's , Ben Duckett scoring 141 .
McCullum confirmed he will have no involvement in selecting his Test coaching replacement.
Front-runners for the Test coach vacancy include Justin Langer and Jonathan Trott ; Andy Flower has ruled himself out.
The ECB is expected to interview candidates this week ahead of a three-Test series against Pakistan next month.
McCullum will remain in England to attend The Hundred tournament to scout white-ball talent.
England's white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum has pledged to work in close collaboration with whoever is appointed as the country's next Test head coach, insisting that shared commitment to English cricket's success will smooth any potential friction between the formats. McCullum made the remarks at a press conference on 20 July following the conclusion of England's white-ball series against India in London.
McCullum's Comeback After Test Role Loss
The remarks carry added weight given McCullum's recent personal setback. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) relieved him of his Test coaching duties earlier this month, yet he responded with immediate impact in the limited-overs arena, guiding England to back-to-back series victories over India. The turnaround underscored his continued influence over the white-ball programme.
The 2-1 ODI series victory was sealed with a dramatic 27-run win at Lord's, where England posted a record List A total at the ground of 387/3. Ben Duckett anchored the innings with a commanding 141, supported by half-centuries from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root.
What McCullum Said About the New Test Coach
'Collaboratively, I think once the new coach is put in place, we'll have a good conversation around everything. I think ultimately as long as everyone wants what is right for English cricket, there will be some give and take on certain things,' McCullum said.
He added: 'There will be situations where you do have to give and there will be situations where the Test coach will give as well and fundamentally you are trying to get what is right for English cricket. I look forward to those conversations when the time comes.'
No Role in Picking His Replacement
McCullum confirmed he will play no part in the selection process for the new Test head coach, with the ECB expected to interview candidates this week ahead of a three-Test series against Pakistan next month. 'No, I have enough on my plate trying to work out the white-ball stuff. I'll respectfully stay in my lane there,' he said.
Among the front-runners for the Test vacancy are former Australia head coach Justin Langer and former England batter Jonathan Trott, after Andy Flower ruled himself out of contention. The appointment is considered urgent given the Pakistan series looming on the horizon.
White-Ball Focus and The Hundred
With his attention firmly on the white-ball programme, McCullum confirmed he will remain in England to observe The Hundred tournament over the next four weeks, viewing it as an opportunity to scout emerging talent. 'It will be great to see some of England's premier white-ball tournaments. If you're white-ball coach, it's good to be around for that!' he said.
He added that he hoped to spot players beyond the current squad: 'I'll look to try and get around to those games to see that and hopefully we see some more talent.' With the white-ball side showing clear signs of growth across recent series, McCullum signalled that further development remains his primary focus as England prepare for a packed international calendar.
Point of View
Player workloads are shared, and selection philosophy can diverge sharply between a Bazball-era Test culture and a white-ball rebuild. The real question is not whether McCullum and the new coach will 'have a conversation' — it is whether the ECB has defined clear lines of authority before that conversation is needed. England's history with dual-coaching structures has not always been tidy, and the Pakistan Test series arrives quickly. If the appointment is delayed or the mandate is ambiguous, the cracks will show on the field before any collaborative framework has a chance to work.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Brendon McCullum lose his England Test coaching role?
The ECB relieved McCullum of his Test head coaching duties earlier in July 2025. The board did not publicly detail the specific reasons, but the decision was announced before England's white-ball series against India concluded.
Who are the front-runners to become England's next Test head coach?
Former Australia head coach Justin Langer and former England batter Jonathan Trott are among the leading candidates, according to reports. Andy Flower has ruled himself out of the running, and the ECB is expected to interview candidates this week.
What was the result of England's ODI series against India?
England won the ODI series 2-1, clinching the deciding match with a 27-run victory at Lord's. England posted a record List A total at the ground of 387/3, with Ben Duckett scoring 141 and Jacob Bethell and Joe Root adding half-centuries.
Will McCullum have any say in appointing the new Test coach?
No. McCullum confirmed he will play no role in the selection process, saying he has 'enough on my plate' with the white-ball programme and intends to 'stay in his lane.'
When is England's next Test series and why does the coaching appointment matter?
England face Pakistan in a three-Test series next month, making the appointment urgent. The new coach will need to be in place quickly to prepare the side, and the working relationship with McCullum's white-ball set-up will be tested almost immediately.
