Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison has stated that the team’s head coach Brendon McCullum should also step down, following skipper Ben Stokes’ abrupt retirement announcement during the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The England and Wales Cricket Board declared Stokes’ retirement in the closing minutes of the second session on Day 4. Shortly thereafter, the all‑rounder took a wicket with the first ball of the 11th over, and on the day England chased a target of 373, he opened the innings, scoring a brisk 30 runs off 20 balls.
Stokes and McCullum have forged a notable partnership, bringing an aggressive, positive philosophy to the side. Harmison, a vocal critic of the ‘Bazball’ approach that underpins England’s Test strategy, argued that Stokes’ retirement necessitates McCullum’s departure as well.
“McCullum’s got to go with him. That’s it. If we’re gonna, if we’re gonna, if we’re gonna go through that conversation, McCullum’s got to go with him. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Brendan McCullum as a person, but this Bazball stuff is, that’s not test cricket. That’s amateur hour,” Harmisson said, speaking on talkSPORT Cricket’s live match coverage.
England’s leading run‑scorer Joe Root assumed the captaincy in Stokes’ absence during the second Test at the Oval after the former missed the match due to a nightclub incident. Harmison has questioned McCullum’s influence on the squad and expressed concerns about the direction of management.
“I’d love to know what Joe Root’s thinking of this [when] walking out to bat. I’d really love to know what Joe Root’s thinking about this whole last two‑week period. But I think with Ben Stokes going now, Brendan McCullum’s influence on this team now, I’m not convinced it’s great for English cricket, especially in the Test match arena with an Ashes series less than 12 months away,” he added.
Under Brendon McCullum, England have played more than 40 Test matches. Although the side has enjoyed early success, results have been uneven, with a 2–2 draw record against India and Australia at home and a 4–1 loss record away against those same teams.
