England’s disastrous 2025-2026 Ashes tour has put head coach Brendon McCullum under intense pressure, with the team already 0-3 down and losing the series in just eleven days.
The defeats have raised serious questions about the future of McCullum and the Bazball style, which once promised quick results but has struggled in Australia.
England started McCullum’s tenure with an impressive run, winning 10 of his first 11 Test matches. However, that early success has quickly faded over time.
Since then, England have failed to win a five-Test series against Australia or India. In their last 33 Tests they have lost 16 matches and won far fewer than expected.
The current Ashes defeat was particularly damaging as Australia wrapped up the series with ease, exposing England’s shortcomings in bat, ball and tactics.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes a major change is needed if England are to compete with Australia in the future Ashes series.
Panesar has suggested former India head coach Ravi Shastri as the ideal man to replace McCullum if England decide to move on.
Panesar pointed to Shastri’s record of leading India to two historic victories at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
“You have to think who exactly knows how to beat Australia,” Panesar said while speaking to journalist Ravi Bisht on his YouTube channel.
“How do you take advantage of Australia’s weaknesses, mentally, physically and tactically? I think Ravi Shastri should be England’s next head coach,” he added.
McCullum, meanwhile, has said he wants to continue in the role but admitted his future is uncertain after another major Ashes setback.
He is currently contracted with the England and Wales Cricket Board until the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will also include the next Ashes series in England.
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