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Will Brendon McCullum and Rob Key be sacked?: England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test was recently concluded as Tom Latham and his boys created history by winning their first Test series after a drought of 27 years. The win at Trent Bridge is New Zealand’s first series win of three or more Tests in England since 1999. This is also their first series win after losing the first Test match.
The Three Lions suffered their first defeat in a home series of three or more Test matches since 2012. They have lost seven of their last nine Test matches, increasing the pressure on coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. Under the leadership of Brendon McCullum, the team has played 49 matches, resulting in 25 wins, 17 losses and 1 draw.
“I don’t think those cracks have ever been healed” – Nasser Hussain on the relationship between Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum
However, two former captains, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, have shared their views on the losses and turmoil in England cricket in recent times. Both former cricketers, speaking on SKY Sports, discussed Ben Stokes’ nightclub controversy after the first Test, which led to his retirement after the third Test, and the roles of Brendon McCullum and Rob Key in the team.
Nasser Hussain said, “In the Ashes, England and Stokes went in one direction and McCullum wanted to go in the other. McCullum wanted them to bat like they did yesterday evening, certainly in Australia when the wheels were coming off.”
Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton debated Robbie’s and Brendon McCullum’s future after Ben Stokes’ retirement. pic.twitter.com/vnnLTExn9L
– Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2026
“Stokes wanted a bit more understanding, better batting and I think they both went in that direction and I don’t think those cracks ever healed and I think that’s half the reason Ben left, it’s not for me anymore.”
“Captains and coaches can’t do it all” – Michael Atherton criticizes Rob Key
Michael Atherton, while speaking to Sky Sports, said that it is not all about captain and coach Brendon McCullum. He said it was a mistake for Rob Key to hand over the white-ball coaching role to Brendon McCullum as the two formats are different.
“One thing I’m sure about is that captains and coaches can’t do it all. I think it was a big mistake on Rob Key’s part to give Brendon McCullum the white-ball responsibility at the top of the Test match. I thought it was perfect for him for a while where he’s the Test match coach and he comes in and out and gets fresh off time.”
“The schedule is such that a T20 match is to start two days later. I am watching England in the nets this morning, they are all batting against the white ball. Brook and Bethel, whose work is done, are batting against the white ball because that game is going to start after two days.”
“I think teams need an identity” – Michael Atherton on the new different style of play across all formats
He believes that before being appointed as the white-ball coach, the former Kiwi captain had spent a good amount of time as a Test head coach. Atherton also said that the white-ball team needed a new style of play and something different in the Test format.
“I don’t know how Brendon McCullum and Harry Brook, after a three-Test series in the last five weeks, can possibly plan and prepare for a white-ball series starting in two days.”
“So I think teams need an identity, the white-ball team needs a specific identity and the red-ball team needs a specific identity. I don’t think Brooks can captain in all formats, I think it’s impossible, I don’t think coaches should do that.”