Former Opener Critiques McCullum’s Coaching Ahead of Ashes Test

England’s Ashes Woes and Coaching Critique

As the 2025-26 Ashes series intensifies, former Indian cricketer Sadagopan Ramesh has voiced serious concerns over Brendon McCullum’s effectiveness as England’s red-ball coach. With England currently trailing 0-3 in the series, Ramesh argues that McCullum’s T20 influenced approach is a mismatch for Test cricket, exposing the team’s vulnerabilities.

Reckless Play and Consequences

Ramesh pointed out that England’s aggressive batting style, which initially brought success, has proven disastrous in high-pressure situations. Their heavy defeats in India and Pakistan last year highlighted fundamental flaws that have led to their current predicament in Australia. The Ashes series has seen England fail to sustain performance, highlighted by their inability to secure a single win in their last 18 Test matches on Australian soil.

The first Test at Perth was particularly underwhelming, ending in just two days. England was bowled out for a mere 66.9 overs, leading to Australia’s straightforward path to victory:

Comments from Ramesh

In a candid social media post, Ramesh stated, “Coaches shouldn’t impose their playing style upon teams. It’s counterproductive.” Drawing a comparison with Rahul Dravid, he emphasized that Dravid didn’t enforce a rigid batting plan, a strategy that led to a T20 World Cup victory for India. Ramesh fears for McCullum’s future if England’s dismal run continues during this series.

Upcoming Challenges

The fourth Test of the series is set to commence on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). England has made significant changes, including dropping Ollie Pope and selecting Jacob Bethell to fill the number 3 spot. These adjustments come as a last attempt to redeem their performance and regain some lost pride in a series that has been overwhelmingly dominated by the Australians.

As the Ashes unfold further, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how these coaching dynamics and player performances evolve. Will McCullum’s tenure sustain the scrutiny, or will England redeem itself from the brink of collapse?