Brendon McCullum will step down as head coach of the England Test team after four years in the role, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday.
McCullum, who was appointed alongside former Test captain Ben Stokes in 2022 and helped turn around England’s red-ball fortunes, will remain head coach of the men’s white-ball teams.
England recently suffered a home Test series defeat against New Zealand, towards the end of which Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket.
McCullum said in an ECB statement: “I have absolutely loved coaching the Test team and am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”
“There have been some incredible highs and some tough days along the way, but it’s all part of taking on a challenge like this.”
ECB chief executive Richard Gould paid tribute to the work of the former New Zealand captain.
“Brendon has breathed new life into the England Test team during an exciting period that delivered some memorable victories, and we are grateful for everything he has given to the role,” Gould said.
The ECB said the process of recruiting a new head coach for the England Test team will now begin.
England chief executive Rob Key said some of England’s “most memorable moments” in recent history occurred under McCullum’s captaincy of the Test team.
“It has been an absolute privilege to watch him shape the team’s mentality, one that the players have loved, and to watch him develop a new generation of talent who will be at the heart of the England men’s teams for years to come. He leaves the Test team well prepared and ready to achieve great things,” he added.
