Brendon McCullum: England coach ‘makes no apologies’ for informal environment

A relaxed environment has been part of McCullum’s England squad since he took charge of the Test team in 2022 – an attempt to ease the pressures of playing international cricket on the players.

England were accused of being inadequately prepared for the Ashes, playing only one warm-up match against the England Lions at the club’s ground in Perth before the first Test.

After the Ashes it was revealed Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer the night before a one-day international in New Zealand, while a mid-series trip to Noosa was heavily scrutinised.

A review is currently underway by the England and Wales Cricket Board of England’s winter, the culmination of which will confirm McCullum’s future, but there have already been some changes.

There will be a warm-up match when they travel to Australia for the 150th Anniversary Test next year, and warm-up matches are also likely to be played before further tours next winter.

England have also added head coach Karl Hopkinson to their World Cup squad after a host of catches fell in Australia. This addition increased the intensity of their training ahead of the World Cup.

McCollum will now return home to New Zealand before any official announcement is made about his future.

“We’ll let this period sink down, and look back at the last five or six months, which have been very intense, and look at what you did right, what you did wrong, and start trying to find ways that you can improve the areas you need to,” McCollum said.

“This is just doing it with a little reason and common sense when your emotions are out of whack.

“I make no apologies for running an informal and positive environment but calling it an informal environment is not entirely fair.

“But in the end, people will always have their views on how you handle things, and that’s the role of a leader.”