Cult or culture? McCullum comes full circle following Ashes review England’s cricket team faces a critical reckoning as the fallout from their disastrous Ashes campaign in Australia continues. Brendon McCullum, the head coach, has led the squad to 26 Test victories in 46 matches, but his tenure has been overshadowed by the team’s recent struggles. The final act of a traditional England away Ashes series is set to unfold, with the team hounded by media scrutiny and public criticism after a series of losses. The review process, scheduled to take place at Lord’s in the spring, will see administrators and key figures within the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) address the failures and outline plans for improvement. The review, described by ECB chief executive Richard Gould as a necessary step, has taken on a different tone this time. Unlike past instances where such reviews often led to sweeping changes, including sackings and restructuring, this one will focus on introspection rather than blame. Gould and director of cricket Rob Key have emphasized the need for collective accountability, acknowledging that the team’s shortcomings were not solely the fault of county cricket or the domestic structure. Instead, the emphasis is on internal reflection and collaboration to address the issues that plagued the Ashes campaign. The problems identified include a lack of depth in the coaching staff, poor preparation, and an overly relaxed approach that failed to match the intensity of the Australian side. McCullum, who has been criticized for not adhering to a consistent method, and captain Ben Stokes, whose on-field performance has waned, are central to the discussion.#brendon_mccullum #rob_key #richard_gould #england_and_wales_cricket_board #ben_stokes
England All-Rounder Criticizes Team Management, Calls Experience 'Eye-Opening' Liam Livingstone, the England all-rounder, has openly criticized the team’s management, expressing frustration over a lack of communication and respect after being dropped from the national squad in 2025. The player revealed he has not been involved with the England setup since March of the previous year and now questions whether he will ever return under the current leadership. Livingstone’s comments highlight his disillusionment with the decision-making process and the support he received during his time with the team. Livingstone described the abruptness of his exclusion from the West Indies series squad, noting that he received only a brief call from head coach Brendon McCullum. The conversation, which lasted less than a minute, left him feeling unprepared and unheard. He recounted how McCullum’s response was vague, stating the team wanted to try someone else. “They said they wanted to try someone else,” Livingstone said, adding that outgoing selector Luke Wright and captain Harry Brook also failed to reach out to him. The player also criticized England’s managing director, Rob Key, for his lack of communication. Livingstone claimed Key had promised to speak with him in the summer but did not follow through until late September. “That probably sums that group up as a collective,” he said, describing the experience as “eye-opening” and indicating he no longer feels valued by the team. Livingstone’s frustration extended to his role within the team, particularly his struggles with batting position. He mentioned how his performance often improved when he was placed higher in the order, only to be pushed back down to No. 7 when key players returned. “I don’t want to be someone that’s a sixth bowler and batting at No.#liam_livingstone #harry_brook #brendon_mccullum #rob_key #lukewright
Liam Livingstone interview - 'I asked England for help, I was told I care too much' Liam Livingstone has not played for England since their Champions Trophy exit in March 2025, and he claims his communication with the team’s management has been minimal. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, the England all-rounder described his interactions with the coaching staff as brief and dismissive, with two phone calls lasting just a minute each. He accused the team of lacking "respect" and avoiding "difficult conversations," which he believes has left him without a clear path to rejoining the squad. Livingstone was dropped from England’s white-ball teams last summer after a slump in form during a tour to India and the Champions Trophy, where the team lost 10 out of 11 games. He criticized the management for failing to engage with him constructively, citing a lack of support and a dismissive attitude toward his efforts to improve. He described the environment under head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key as uncooperative, claiming that players outside an inner circle are not valued. The 32-year-old, who remains contracted to Sunrisers Hyderabad for the IPL, emphasized his frustration with the lack of communication. He recalled a call from McCullum in May 2025, where he was informed he had been dropped for the West Indies series without explanation. Key, who had previously responded to Livingstone’s public concerns about his status by inviting him to contact him, only spoke to him again in late September, informing him his central contract would not be renewed. Livingstone said Key dismissed his attempts to seek clarity, claiming the managing director had "100 more important things to do than speak to you.#liam_livingstone #england_cricket_team #brendon_mccullum #rob_key #champions_trophy
Liam Livingstone Critizes England's Cricket Setup Liam Livingstone has publicly criticized the England cricket team and its management, expressing frustration over his lack of involvement with the squad that reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals. The 32-year-old all-rounder, who has earned exactly 100 caps for England across all formats, revealed that he felt no connection to the team during the tournament, calling it the "worst experience I've had playing cricket." Livingstone, who has not played for England since the 2023 Champions Trophy, confirmed he had only two brief phone calls with England coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key, each lasting no more than a minute. Livingstone’s struggles with the team became evident during the Champions Trophy, where England lost all three of their matches. His performance was lackluster, with a highest score of 14 and three wickets taken through spin bowling. He described the tournament in Pakistan as a "disappointing" experience, noting that the England hierarchy’s feedback was dismissive of his efforts. "I was just trying to ask for help to get better: what do they see that isn't going right?" he said. "You'd hit a couple out of the middle of the bat and they'd go 'Great, you found it. Let's go back to the hotel.'" The lack of communication from the England leadership extended beyond the World Cup. Livingstone recounted being left out of the team during the 2024 Ashes series, with no clear explanation from Rob Key. He claimed Key offered no response to his inquiries and only spoke to him in September after the player had already lost his central contract. "Keysy said nothing—he said 'I'll speak to you in the summer,' but he was busy at a Test camp at Loughborough," Livingstone said.#liam_livingstone #england_cricket_team #will_jacks #brendon_mccullum #rob_key
