Brendon McCullum Stays for The Hundred After Test Sacking – What's Next?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-21

Brendon McCullum will stay in England to watch The Hundred this summer. It's a decision that matters more now that his role has shifted to head coach of the white-ball sides. The former Test coach was removed from that position eight days ago after England lost 2-1 to New Zealand. That defeat extended the team's run to seven losses in nine Tests, and they haven't won a series since 2024. McCullum still oversees the T20I and ODI teams through the end of his contract, which runs until after the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. ### What Changed After the Test Sacking? The timing marks a clear change from how McCullum handled the early part of the summer. With the Test side needing a reset following a 4-1 Ashes defeat, he took time off after a packed winter schedule and missed the first seven rounds of the County Championship. That winter had taken him from a New Zealand white-ball tour in October to three months in Australia, then a white-ball series in Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World Cup, which wrapped up in March. He didn't arrive in the UK until late May, training at Loughborough before the first Test against New Zealand started on June 4. This time, McCullum says staying put makes sense. > "I'll be around for The Hundred. I think it's good to be around for that, seeing not just the guys who are in this squad, but also some of the next talent perform under the brightest lights of the Hundred tournament." He added that he plans to attend several matches over the coming four weeks. ### Networking and Broadcast Opportunities McCullum is entering the final 12 months of his ECB contract. His presence at England's most high-profile domestic competition could carry benefits beyond coaching. As the former head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, a return to franchise cricket remains a live option once his tenure ends. The Hundred gives him a chance to build relationships with the tournament's new ownership groups. Cricinfo understands that Sky and the BBC, The Hundred's official broadcasters, have also made enquiries about McCullum joining their coverage teams. ### What's Next for England's Coaching Setup? McCullum's schedule means he's likely to be in the country when the ECB names its next Test coach. Andy Flower had been the board's top choice before withdrawing after talks with the governing body. Several candidates are still under consideration: - Justin Langer - Stephen Fleming - Richard Dawson - Mike Hesson - Tom Moody - Kumar Sangakkara The ECB hopes to confirm an appointment before the Pakistan series begins on August 19. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has been identified as a possible interim option if needed. Asked how he expects to share resources with a new Test coach, McCullum described the process as collaborative. "Once the new coach is put in place, I think we'll have a good conversation around everything," he said, adding that both sides would need to compromise for the good of English cricket. England's recent ODI series win over India, their second such result in months, has given McCullum confidence in the team's progress toward the 2027 World Cup, even with the side currently seventh in the ICC rankings.