Former Aussie Star Defends Brendon McCullum Amid England Ashes Collapse – Should He Really Stay?

England’s 2025 Ashes tour didn’t just end in defeat—it unraveled in spectacular fashion. From chaotic batting collapses to questionable team selections, the so-called ‘Bazball’ revolution seemed to crash into the hard Australian pitch like a paper plane in a storm. Fans, pundits, and even former players called for Brendon McCullum’s head on a platter.

But then, in a twist no one expected, a former Australian cricketer—yes, an Aussie—stepped forward to defend him.

Steve O’Keefe, the left-arm spinner known for his Sydney Test heroics against India, stunned the cricketing world by publicly backing Brendon McCullum to remain as England’s head coach despite the Ashes debacle . His message? “Stick with him.”

Why would an Australian—part of a system that just humiliated England—champion the architect of their downfall? And more importantly, is he right?

Table of Contents

• The Ashes Aftermath: Why Everyone Wants McCullum Gone
• Steve O’Keefe’s Defense of Brendon McCullum
• Brendon McCullum Ashes Record: The Real Numbers
• Where Bazball Went Wrong in Australia
• What England Must Fix Before the Next Era
• Conclusion: Should England Really ‘Stick With Him’?

The Ashes Aftermath: Why Everyone Wants McCullum Gone

England lost the 2025 Ashes 4–1. But the scoreline barely tells the story.

They were bowled out for under 200 in three of the five Tests. Their top order looked clueless against short-pitched fast bowling. Wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes—often their best player in Australia—was inexplicably benched for Jos Buttler in the final Test, a move that backfired badly.

Critics argue that McCullum’s ultra-aggressive “Bazball” philosophy, while successful in home conditions, has no place in the brutal Australian summer. The mantra of “no fear” turned into “no clue.” And with England failing to win a single Test on Australian soil since 2010, patience is wearing thin.

Steve O’Keefe’s Defense of Brendon McCullum

Enter Steve O’Keefe—unexpected ally.

In a recent interview, O’Keefe acknowledged the Ashes failure but pointed to the bigger picture: under McCullum, England’s Test win rate has jumped from a dismal 30% pre-2022 to over 60% in the last three years . They’ve beaten India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and West Indies at home. They’ve played fearless, entertaining cricket that revived interest in the longest format.

“You don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” O’Keefe said. “McCullum has transformed England’s mindset. The issue isn’t the philosophy—it’s the application in overseas conditions.”

He didn’t give McCullum a free pass, though. O’Keefe slammed England’s preparation, calling their reliance on intra-squad nets instead of proper warm-up matches “a recipe for disaster.” He also demanded tactical flexibility: “You can’t play the same way in Perth as you do in Lord’s.”

Brendon McCullum Ashes Record: The Real Numbers

Let’s be fair. McCullum’s Brendon McCullum Ashes record is underwhelming:

• 2023 Ashes (England): Drawn 2–2 (retained urn)
• 2025 Ashes (Australia): Lost 1–4
• Total Ashes Wins under McCullum: 2 (both at home)
• Ashes Wins in Australia: 0

Yet, look beyond the urn. Since May 2022, England have played 35 Tests under McCullum and won 21—a win rate that rivals Australia and South Africa . The problem? That success hasn’t translated overseas, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries outside England.

Where Bazball Went Wrong in Australia

O’Keefe’s critique hits home: Bazball wasn’t the problem—its rigid execution was.

Three key failures:

1. No Adaptation to Pitch & Pace: Australian pitches offered extra bounce and pace. Yet, England persisted with horizontal-bat strokes early in innings—a high-risk strategy that backfired repeatedly.
2. Poor Team Balance: Playing three seamers and no specialist spinner on bouncy tracks ignored the value of control. Even Ollie Robinson looked underutilized.
3. Inadequate Preparation: Unlike India or Australia, who play 3–4 four-day warm-up games, England had just two low-intensity intra-squad sessions. Players arrived at the first Test cold.

As [INTERNAL_LINK:ashes-preparation-mistakes] analyses show, preparation has been a chronic blind spot for English tours Down Under since 2017.

What England Must Fix Before the Next Era

O’Keefe’s support comes with conditions. For Bazball 2.0 to survive, England must evolve:

• Contextual Aggression: Play fast, but not recklessly. Session-by-session plans matter more than “no fear” slogans.
• Overseas-Specific Squads: Build teams for conditions—e.g., include a second spinner in Asia, a tall batter in Australia.
• Restore Warm-Up Cricket: The ECB must reinstate proper red-ball lead-ins. Talent isn’t the issue—it’s readiness.

Mccullum himself has hinted at this evolution: “We’re not dogmatic,” he told reporters post-Ashes. “We learn, we adapt.”

Conclusion: Should England Really ‘Stick With Him’?

Steve O’Keefe’s defense of Brendon McCullum Ashes strategy is more than just contrarian—it’s pragmatic. Throwing out a coach who’s delivered 21 Test wins in three years over one failed tour would be emotional, not strategic.

The real test isn’t whether McCullum stays—it’s whether he and captain Ben Stokes can course-correct. Can they make Bazball smarter, not just louder? Can they turn overseas vulnerability into strength?

If yes, England might just emerge stronger. If not, even O’Keefe’s backing won’t save them.

Sources

• Times of India: ‘Stick with him’: Former Australian cricketer stuns fans by backing McCullum after England’s Ashes disaster
• ESPNcricinfo Statsguru: England Test Results (2022–2025)
• International Cricket Council (ICC): https://www.icc.com/
• Cricket Australia: https://www.cricketaustralia.com.au/