£1m to sack Brendon McCullum? Most England fans would be happy with that ...Middle East

THE GABBA — Brendon McCullum’s folksy, laid-back Kiwi ways are not cutting it with England’s fans any more. Not after these first two Ashes Tests.

But weirdly, it might actually be exactly what the players need as they try to rouse themselves for the rest of the series.

McCullum’s repeated post-match assertion that he thought his squad had “overprepared” for Brisbane felt like a tipping point.

After all the complaints about England’s lack of preparation for this series from former players, supporters understandably felt like they were being gaslit.

It was an awful look for the England coach after a humiliating defeat that all-but extinguished his team’s Ashes hopes.

Make no mistake, McCullum’s job is now on the line. He may be on a bumper contract until the end of 2027 that would cost the England & Wales Cricket Board an estimated £1million to end early.

But ECB chair Richard Thompson and chief executive Richard Gould will be taking the temperature of fan feeling right now and the rage for McCullum is red hot.

Not that the man himself seems bothered. His post-match interviews saw him chat about having a beer, the team’s break to the idyllic holiday resort of Noosa this week and joking about how his players were like race horses that need a “freshen up”.

It came across terribly, especially in comparison to the demeanour of captain Ben Stokes, who was the most crestfallen, frustrated and angry I have ever seen him after a match.

His comments about there being no place for “weak men” in Australia were pointed. As was his admission that some players have been overawed by the occasion of an Ashes series.

Stokes spoke passionately, honestly and from the heart. It’s exactly what the fans, and his team-mates, needed to hear.

McCullum, meanwhile, cut a glib, unserious figure who from the outside looks incapable of resurrecting his team’s hopes.

"Leading into this Test match, I actually think we over prepared to be honest."– Brendon McCullum talks about England's approach heading into Brisbane and whether it'll change for Adelaide #Ashes pic.twitter.com/YII0f9slli

England are in serious trouble. The gravity of the situation is so great that it’s not just McCullum’s job on the line. There are players who will not survive a 4-0 or 5-0 hammering. Managing director of cricket Rob Key is also in the firing line.

Having covered the past four Ashes tours before this, I have seen England in this situation many times before. It never ends well.

Thoughts of winning the series should be shelved. But winning a Test – something England haven’t done in Australia now in 17 matches stretching back to January 2011 – should be the aim.

Winning a dead rubber in Melbourne or Sydney would provide some succour. But only victory in Adelaide next week, a result that would keep the series alive beyond Christmas, will probably be enough to save the Bazball project.

It’s obvious England’s preparation for this series was not good enough. But it’s understandable those inside the camp will not admit so. What kind of message would that send to the players?

I have some sympathy with McCullum’s comments about being “overprepared” for Brisbane. The i Paper understands the decision to train for five days before the second Test was ultimately down to the players, led by Stokes.

McCullum should have been stronger and insisted they stick to the usual plan – practising three days out from a Test. After the two-day defeat in Perth, he was persuaded otherwise. It won’t happen again.

And there won’t be any flinching from the key Bazball tenet that encourages players to be aggressive and play with freedom. Both Stokes and McCullum spoke about the team needing to “absorb pressure” better. It’s something they have done well in the past, most recently in the third Test against India at Lord’s last summer.

Bazball isn’t the problem. It’s some players, spooked by the magnitude of an away Ashes, forgetting that there is room for nuance, thinking on your feet and patience in the Bazball playbook.

That’s ultimately on McCullum and Stokes, with the coach admitting after Brisbane he needs to make sure he and his captain are both “synced up” in terms of their messaging.

square CRICKET Interview

I captained Brendon McCullum - he was a cocky little prick 

McCullum was also clear that the players need to trust the approach that has largely worked for them over the past three-and-a-half years.

“One thing we won’t be changing is the language in the dressing room and the style we’ve tried to operate with,” he said.

“This is not a country where you can expect to be anything other than fully committed to what you’re doing.

“We’ll give everyone total confidence, belief and backing, but all we ask for is you buy in, and that’s what we’ll be continuing to ask for over the coming days.

“If we do that, we may just find our way back into the series.”

It’s clear: blindly living up to the reductive Aussie caricature of what Bazball is – a team of brainless sloggers – rather than playing to the situation, has cost England in this series.

McCullum may seem unserious and flippant to the outside world. But having someone who can stay level in this situation, rather than panicking, is exactly what the players need.

Whether or not it works will decide McCullum’s fate. But for now, England have no choice other than to trust in his methods, and words, completely.

Your next read

Duckett 0, Pope 1, Smith 1 – England player ratings from another Ashes battering

This England cricket team are gutless, arrogant and grossly overrated

The Score: Arsenal’s Gyokeres worry, Burnley’s last chance and Everton are what?!

The Leicester Tigers ‘kung fu’ kick that ignited a new row in rugby

Hence then, the article about 1m to sack brendon mccullum most england fans would be happy with that was published today ( Monday 08/12/2025 - 03:02 PM ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( £1m to sack Brendon McCullum? Most England fans would be happy with that )

Also on site :

• Canaan Inc. Acquires Cipher Mining's Interest in Multiple Operational Mining Projects Totaling ~4.4 EH/s in West Texas
• Pedestrian killed on 101 Freeway in Calabasas-Agoura Hills area
• Certis and FieldAI Form Strategic Partnership to Deploy Autonomous Robotics in Real-World Security Operations