Brendon McCullum intends to remain England’s head coach in all formats despite a tough winter, according to reports.
England’s narrow defeat to hosts India in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup on Thursday brought an end to a period of intense competition in both white-ball and red-ball cricket.
McCullum has faced scrutiny over his position after a disastrous Ashes campaign, with that attention heightened after news of off-field events was filtered out, but the 44-year-old announced his intention to continue on Thursday and the Press Association understands that will be the case.
McCullum previously told Sky Sports: “I love this job. It’s a great job. It’s not without its challenges, of course, but that’s the nature of the job.”
“I feel like we’ve achieved some really great things in the last few years, but we still have a lot to achieve as a team in all formats.
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Nasser Hussain doubles down on England’s decision-making and missed chance to beat Australia in Ashes series.
“I want to keep going, so we’ll see how it goes. Right now, after being on the road for quite some time, it’s just coming home, watching some fast horses, and playing some mind-blowing golf.”
“Take some time to reflect, let things sink in, and look objectively at what’s working and what’s not.
“I look forward to helping lead the team to the next stage.”
The head of the England and Wales Cricket Board is still conducting a formal investigation into what went wrong in Australia, but McCullum is expected to remain in his post and get the chance to lead the Test team to their home Ashes in 2027.
McCullum received strong support from white-ball captain Harry Brook after the loss in Mumbai.
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Highlights of the T20 World Cup semi-final held in Mumbai. There, Jacob Bethell’s incredible hundred against India was not enough to see England win.
Brook, who was handed the limited-overs reins by McCullum, has also endured a difficult few months and was on the firing line for an incident at a New Zealand nightclub ahead of the Winter Ashes.
“I’ve said it many times, he’s the best head coach I’ve ever had,” Brook said. “The way he talks to everyone, he gives off an aura in the dressing room.
“Everyone respects him and what he did in the game as a player was incredible and he brings that into his coaching as well.
“What he has done in the last four years since he took over has changed English cricket for the best. 125 per cent (he should stay).”
The T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm on Sunday (1.30pm first pitch).
