“Coach can’t do”: Michael Atherton questions Brendon McCullum’s future after England’s series defeat

Brendon McCullum and Rob Key to be sacked?: England vs New Zealand, the third Test recently concluded as Tom Latham and his boys created history, winning their first Test series after a massive 27-year drought. This win at Trent Bridge marked New Zealand’s first away series triumph in England containing three or more tests since 1999. It also marked their first series victory after losing the first Test match.

The Three Lions suffered their first defeat in a home series of three or more Tests since 2012. They’ve lost seven of their last nine Tests, putting pressure on coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. Under 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 healed”- Nasser Hussain on Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s relationship

However, two former captains, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, have shared their views on the loss and the turmoil that England cricket have been going through in recent times. Both of the former cricketers have discussed Ben Stokes’s nightclub controversy after the first Test, which led to his retirement after the third Test, and Brendon McCullum and Rob Key’s role in the side while speaking on SKY Sports.

Nasser Hussain stated, “In the Ashes, England and Stokes went in one direction and McCullum wanted to go in the other. McCullum wanted them to bat how they did yesterday evening, definitely in Australia when the wheels were coming off.”

Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton debate the futures of Rob Key and Brendon McCullum following the retirement of Ben Stokes 🗣️💭 pic.twitter.com/vnnLTExn9L

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2026

“Stokes wanted a bit more sensible, smarter batting and I think both of them went in that direction and I don’t think those cracks have ever healed and I think that’s half the reason Ben’s just gone, it’s not for me anymore.”

“Captain and coach can’t do it all”- Michael Atherton slams Rob Key

Michael Atherton, while speaking to SKY Sports, stated that it is not all done by the captain and coach Brendon McCullum. He pointed out that Rob Key’s mistake was to hand over the white-ball coaching role to Brendon McCullum, as both formats are different.

“Well one thing I’m certain of is that captain and coach can’t do it all. I think it was a big mistake of Rob Key to give Brendan McCullum the white-ball job on top of the Test match job. I thought he had it perfect for a while where he’s the Test match coach and he dips in and out, freshens up in the time off.”

“The schedule is such, there’s a T20 game starting in two days’ time. I’ve been watching England this morning in that far net, they’re all batting against a white ball. Brook and Bethell, those that are done, are batting against a white ball because that game is coming up in two days’ time.”

“I think the teams need an identity”- Michael Atherton on new different style of playing in across formats

He believes that before being appointed as white-ball coach, the former Kiwi captain had a good time as a Test head coach. Atherton also stated that the white-ball team needs a new style of play and the Test format needs something different.

“I have no idea how Brendon McCullum and Harry Brook, after a three-Test series such as we’ve had over the last five weeks, can possibly be planning and prepping for a white-ball series coming up that starts in two days’ time.”

“So I think the 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 Brook can captain across all formats, I think it’s impossible, I don’t think the coach should be doing that.”