Head coach admits England drifted from attacking style during Ashes but praises strong white-ball identity under Harry Brook

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England head coach Brendon McCullum has expressed his desire to continue leading the national side despite a challenging winter that included a disappointing The Ashes campaign and an early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Speaking after England’s dramatic semi-final defeat to India national cricket team at Wankhede Stadium, McCullum said he remains passionate about the role and believes the team can grow stronger from the setbacks they experienced over the past six months.

McCullum said he was “incredibly proud” of his players for their fight in the semi-final, where England nearly chased down a daunting 254-run target thanks to Jacob Bethell’s maiden T20I century. He also praised the white-ball transformation under captain Harry Brook, highlighting the clear identity the team has developed in limited-overs cricket.

However, the former New Zealand national cricket team captain admitted that England’s Test tour of Australia during the Ashes did not go as planned. England lost the series 4-1 and faced criticism both for their performances and questions surrounding the team’s off-field culture.

McCullum acknowledged that the side had drifted away from the aggressive playing style they intended to take into the Ashes series.

“Obviously the Test winter was disappointing,” McCullum said. “We went to Australia with high hopes and we weren’t able to deliver. When you reflect honestly, you have to ask whether we played the style of cricket we wanted to. If we’re being truthful, we probably didn’t.”

He emphasized that the team will need to have honest discussions about maintaining a consistent approach across formats and learning from the difficult tour.

Despite the challenges, McCullum remains under contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board until the end of 2027, which includes the next Cricket World Cup and a home Ashes series. The ECB announced a comprehensive review of England’s men’s teams earlier this year, which is expected to begin before the squad reconvenes for a Test series against the New Zealand national cricket team in June.

“I love the job,” McCullum said. “It’s a great role, even though it comes with its challenges. We’ve achieved some really good things over the past few years, but there’s still a lot more this team can accomplish.”

The England coach added that he would “love to carry on” in the position but will take some time to reflect after a long stretch on the road.

Following England’s narrow seven-run defeat, captain Harry Brook strongly backed McCullum to remain as head coach, describing him as the best coach he has worked with.

“He’s the best head coach I’ve ever had,” Brook said. “The way he communicates with the players and the atmosphere he creates in the dressing room is incredible. The impact he has had on English cricket over the last four years has been huge.”

McCullum also praised Brook’s leadership, particularly how he has handled pressure both on and off the field. Brook faced scrutiny earlier this year following an incident involving a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand, but has since responded with strong performances, including a key century against the Pakistan national cricket team.

The England coach highlighted the growth of the team’s younger players and leaders, saying the squad showed great resilience by pushing India close in a hostile environment.

“For such a young group of players to run India so close in those conditions is a fantastic effort,” McCullum said. “Yes, we’re disappointed not to be in the final, but there’s a lot to be proud of.”

McCullum added that challenges off the field are part of international cricket, especially for young players touring under intense pressure. He stressed the importance of guiding players through mistakes while helping them develop both as cricketers and individuals.

“As a coach, you’re not just building cricketers—you’re helping build people for life,” McCullum said. “Mistakes will happen, but the key is learning from them and making sure they don’t become bigger problems.”

With a major review ahead and important series coming later in the year, England’s leadership group will now look to regroup and plan their next chapter under McCullum and Brook.