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Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum oversaw England’s 4-1 series loss in Australia.

Stokes backs McCullum in X-rated rant after coach keeps his job

ECB boss Richard Gould said dumping coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key would have been the “easy” decison.

  • Will Macpherson

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England’s three key leaders: Director of cricket Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum, and captain Ben Stokes.

‘Bazball’ failed spectacularly in the Ashes. But one key architect appears safe

There are already some signs of cultural and coaching changes being put in place by England after their disastrous Ashes rout.

  • Will Macpherson and Tom Morgan
McCullum

England will not change until this arrogant regime is dismissed

The self-styled three wise men of English cricket – Brendon McCullum, Rob Key and Ben Stokes – turned out to be the Three Stooges. It’s time to move on from their reign of error.

  • Geoffrey Boycott
England captain Ben Stokes (centre) congratulates Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja after the final day of the 2025-26 Ashes series.

England never recovered from Perth, and neither did this Ashes series

It’s been a dizzying series in many ways, comprising some moments of champagne cricket but many more of poor stuff that spoke to England’s ramshackle preparation for the task and Australia’s numerous vulnerabilities.

  • Daniel Brettig
Ben Stokes finishes the Ashes a beaten, and injured, man.

Loyalty over common sense: Stokes’ decision-making contributed to England’s woe

After contributing scores of nought and one in Sydney, there is the prospect of having to recover once more from a significant injury.

  • Oliver Brown
England coach Brendon McCullum (right) with skipper Ben Stokes.

Brendon McCullum to be given ultimatum about England team culture

Brendon McCullum’s hopes of remaining England head coach rest on whether he is willing to accept an ultimatum of making major changes to the team’s environment and culture.

  • Will Macpherson and Nick Hoult
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Ben Stokes is bowled by Mitchell Starc.

It’s not just the pitch: Why Ashes batters are having a nightmare

For all the talk about the state of the pitches, the work of the bowlers has been just as telling.

  • Tim Wigmore
England players take a break from their Ashes preparations at Noosa.

‘Fundamental looseness’: Why England’s Noosa ‘stag do’ sums up their Ashes woe

It was a case of beach, golf and beers for England’s Ashes squad during the famous stay in Noosa. It didn’t help their cricket.

  • Will Macpherson
The faces of Bazball: England’s  Harry Brook Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

A Bazballing tragedy: The tactical forensics of an Ashes capitulation

Three of England’s finest exports – Shakespeare, public broadcasting and cricketing calamities – collide in the wash-up of another abominable Ashes tour.

  • Dan Walsh
Ben Stokes bowls during training at the Adelaide Oval.

‘What other option do we have?’ Stokes demands more fight from Ashes rookies

A week after saying Australia was no place for “weak men”, the England captain is confident of more resilience from his players.

  • Will Macpherson