McCullum would ‘love’ to remain England head coach

Brendon McCullum has reiterated his desire to remain as England head coach after an agonising defeat in the T20 World Cup semi-finals ended a bruising winter.

England fell seven runs short of completing a stunning chase of 254 to beat India in Mumbai, with the hosts now going on to meet New Zealand in Sunday’s final.

England’s creditable run at the World Cup followed a 4-1 defeat on an Ashes tour blighted by mistakes on and off the field.

Prior to the series in Australia, on a limited-overs tour of New Zealand, white-ball captain Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer while out drinking on the eve of a one-day international in Wellington.

McCullum previously stated he wanted to remain as coach after England lost the Ashes inside three Tests. Before the end of the tour of Australia, there were indications the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was willing to allow McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key to remain in their jobs.

The ECB has been conducting a review into the Ashes series, the findings of which are yet to be made public, while Brook, Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue are under investigation by the Cricket Regulator for their actions on the night in Wellington.

England do not play until a home Test series against McCullum’s native New Zealand in June, and the former Black Caps captain is now due to return home for some downtime.

Asked if he expects to be in charge at the beginning of the English summer, McCullum told BBC Sport: “I’d like to be. I think it’s a great job because you’re working with some of the most talented players in the world.

“I’m not saying it’s a great job because it’s a lark, I’m saying it’s a great job because I’m working with some of the most talented players in the world with an organisation that is very well structured, well run and well supported by the fans.”

McCullum was appointed as England Test coach in 2022 and won 10 of his first 11 matches in charge. Since then, England have lost 17 out of 35 Tests, including a 2-2 draw at home with India last summer and the heavy defeat in Australia.

The 44-year-old also assumed control of England’s white-ball teams at the beginning of last year, signing a contract that runs until the autumn of 2027.

“I’m enjoying the role across all formats and I’d love to carry that on,” added McCullum.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to be in this position over the past three and a half years. I feel like we’ve made some significant improvements across the various formats.

“Yes, we’ve missed some opportunities, but I think this team has a real opportunity over the coming years to continue to improve and hopefully finish what we started. I’d love to be a part of that.”

Key backed McCullum during the Ashes, but neither ECB chief executive Richard Gould nor chair Richard Thompson have publicly spoken on his future.

At the end of the Ashes, McCullum also received support from Test skipper Ben Stokes, while the relationship between McCullum and Brook has blossomed during the T20 World Cup.

Asked after the semi-final defeat if McCullum should stay in charge, Brook said: “125%. I’ve said plenty of times he’s the best coach I’ve ever had.

“The way he speaks to everybody, he’s got an aura in the dressing room, and everybody looks up to him. The things he’s done over the four years since he took over has changed English cricket for hopefully the best.

“Our partnership has been good throughout the competition and since I’ve taken over. Long may it continue.”

Failures in away Ashes tours have often signalled change in the management of England teams.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former England captain Nasser Hussain said the ECB has to guard against repeating the mistakes of the past, while not ignoring the failures of this latest defeat in Australia.

“What you have to get away from is going to the Ashes, you lose, you get rid of the coach and captain, and you start all over again. I’m never a fan of that,” said Hussain.

“But I’m also not keen on, a couple of months later, forgetting what happened in the Ashes, and how poor England were on and off the field – all the mistakes that were made.

“There is a feeling Brook and McCullum are aligned, but there is a suggestion there was a divergence during the Ashes and that is a concern.