The Ashes 2025-26: Brendon McCullum of England acknowledges errors following the confirmation of the series loss

Coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged that England might have made errors in their Ashes preparation after their defeat in the series was confirmed in Adelaide.

Despite a spirited effort from the visitors, Australia secured an 82-run win on the fifth day of the third Test, taking the urn at the soonest possibility.

England suffered heavy losses in the initial two Tests, and their preparation, which consisted of just one warm-up match against an England Lions development team prior to the series, has been widely scrutinized.

«It’s frustrating when you face a loss, and undoubtedly, there will be many questions raised, and rightly so,» McCullum stated to BBC Test Match Special.

«We haven’t executed everything perfectly. As a coach, I haven’t got it all right, and I take responsibility for that.»

The futures of McCullum, captain Ben Stokes, and managing director Rob Key are all likely to be scrutinized following this defeat.

In organizing the match against the Lions, England mirrored their prep strategy for other tours under this administration, similar to those in India and Pakistan last year, by opting out of any warm-up matches.

McCullum’s remarks marked a shift in tone for a leadership that typically maintains a firm stance in supporting their own choices.

«I have stood firm regarding the conviction we held and our preparation, and, for us, it was about attempting to replicate what we have accomplished in successful away series,» McCullum expressed.

«Perhaps we did not execute that correctly, and I will admit to it.»

He continued: «Ultimately, you are accountable for how you prepare your team and how you get them ready.»

«We are 3-0 down, so one could argue that there was a need for changes.»

«Again, you must acknowledge as a coach that perhaps you didn’t achieve that.»

«Simultaneously, I believed it would give us our best chance as it has previously. Sitting here at 3-0, it did not pan out.»

Following a loss in the first Test in Perth in just two days, England chose not to send their first XI to Canberra for a pink-ball practice match prior to the day-night second Test, opting instead for additional net sessions at the Gabba.

McCullum indicated that minimizing training time might have proven more advantageous.

«The five rigorous training days leading into Brisbane when it was anticipated to be very hot,» he noted. «There are certain aspects you reflect on in hindsight.

«Your role as a coach is to strive for optimal performance on the field. I was confident we had made the right choices, but clearly we did not.»

In evaluating the series, McCullum remarked that England’s bowlers struggled to be «accurate and precise» with the ball, and their batters were unable to «accumulate the required runs». He complimented Australia, describing them as «the most precise team I’ve seen in recent years».

He articulated that at times, England was «so determined» and held «such high ambitions» for the series that it «nearly hindered us».

Creating a relaxed atmosphere has been characteristic of the McCullum-Stokes leadership, along with an assertive mindset with both bat and ball.

«The last two days [in Adelaide] represented our finest cricket, which is due to the fact that we simply played the game,» he stated.

«When you’re under tremendous pressure, your decision-making can become somewhat unclear at times, making it difficult to decide whether to stand firm or to adapt.

«That’s perhaps the disheartening aspect because I genuinely believed we were resolute in our convictions about the style of play we intended to adopt during our time here, aware of the challenges we would face.

«However, I think we became a bit stuck, and again, I take responsibility as the coach and say there should have been absolute clarity: ‘no matter the outcomes in this series, this is how we must operate’ because that is what gives us the best chances.»