England’s next Test coach: Andy Flower, Andrew Flintoff and Justin Langer among names mooted to replace Brendon McCullum | Cricket news
Brendon McCullum’s departure as England Test head coach leaves the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with a huge gap to fill ahead of next summer’s crucial home Ashes series.
McCullum took over in the spring of 2022 and quickly restored faith in England’s Test team, winning 11 of the first 13 matches. But a 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia, followed by eight defeats in the last 12 Tests, ended the ‘Bazball’ era and left England searching for a new red-ball coach.
A number of names in this country and abroad are said to replace him – but who is running?
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ECB chief Richard Gould says the decision to step down as England Test coach Brendon McCullum was based on results but says McCullum has created ‘amazing’ memories.
Justin Langer
Justin Langer shakes hands with Ben Stokes ahead of the 2025 Ashes
Former Australian coach Justin Langer it will probably be at the top of most lists.
Langer recorded 15 wins, 11 losses and 5 draws during his time in charge of the Baggy Greens, who retained the Ashes on British and Australian soil in 2019.
Langer has been out of the international limelight, ironically, since the inception of Bazball but has managed Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL since July 2023, with a spell in charge of London Spirit of the Hundred in 2025.
He is well versed in the English domestic game, playing for Middlesex and Somerset in the County Championship as a player.
Andy Flower
Could Andy Flower be in for a second spell as England Test coach? (PA Photos)
Andy Flower He was previously the England coach when the Test team reached world No. 1 and achieved a famous Ashes series victory in 2011.
His tenure ultimately soured as a strained relationship with Kevin Pietersen, coupled with a 5-0 Ashes defeat in Australia in 2013-14, proved too much to overcome.
He spent five years in charge of the England Lions before enjoying a series of successful coaching roles on the T20 franchise circuit, earning praise from former England captain Nasser Hussain.
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Nasser Hussain has his opinion on who should be the next England Test coach after Brendon McCullum’s departure.
“For me, the best person for that would be Andy Flower by a country mile,” Hussain said. “Flower took England to number 1 in the world.
“I like his coaching style – he was meticulous in everything he did. That’s what was missing from this England Test team.
“I would do anything if I was Rob Key and the ECB to get Andy Flower.”
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff won 79 Tests for England during his international career
Former England captain Andrew Flintoff he is the current coach of the England Lions and has stepped in to help with the white-ball operation in recent times.
He will be a ready-made internal inspiration for ECB and will need little giving in terms of knowing the talent he possesses.
Flintoff has remained good friends with England manager Rob Key since their playing days, meaning the pair have developed a good working relationship.
But deciding who he wants as the next Test captain may be the first thing on his train after the all-rounder agreed last month to become the new coach of Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League.
Gareth Batty
Gareth Batty is aiming for his third successive County Championship Division One title in 2024
Surrey’s head coach Gareth Batty it can also be thrown into the ring in the same bracket.
Batty led Surrey to three consecutive County Championship titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and has an impressive coaching record under director of cricket Alec Stewart, who was among the names touted to replace Rob Key.
The former England player is one who would know the squad well as he coached them directly or planned how to defeat them as opponents, with current England players Jamie Smith and Matt Fisher under his leadership at The Oval, as well as former Test No 3 Ollie Pope.
Jonathan Trott
Johnathan Trott led Afghanistan to the semi finals of the 2023 T20 World Cup.
England batsman Jonathan Trott he has been out of a job since stepping down as Afghanistan coach earlier this year.
The 45-year-old will certainly be a sign of leaving McCullum’s style behind for those who remember his torturous innings and innings at No 3 that helped England march to No. 1 in the world.
But he is one of the highlights of his short coaching career, leading his Afghanistan team to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Mickey Arthur
Mickey Arthur has been Derbyshire’s head coach since 2021
Mickey Arthur he has coached his South Africa and Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka over the past 20 years.
But the current Derbyshire manager may choose to stay out of the limelight and continue to build on his hard work from the last five years.
He signed a new two-year deal with Derbyshire in February, but could be tempted by a return to the top flight on the Test pitch.
Darren Lehmann
Darren Lehmann is currently the manager of Northamptonshire in the County Championship
Former Australia batsman and head coach Darren Lehmann also falls into the same category as the current Northamptonshire boss.
Working in Lehmann’s favor is the fact that he masterminded the Ashes series win over England a decade ago.
This happened before his time leading Australia came to an abrupt end in a scandal involving former captain Steve Smith and batsman David Warner, who was stripped of his Test captaincy.
Considering England’s recent off-field struggles, hiring someone as controversial as Lehmann feels unlikely.
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