England’s batters exist in a world without consequences and therefore exist in a world without responsibility. There have been three different bowling coaches in little more than a year, resulting in an attack that cannot execute a plan. Fielding drills are often limited to slip catching and Jamie Smith is rarely seen practising his keeping.
McCullum’s methods are ingrained and creating a culture is his super-strength. He is suited to reviving an ailing team, just as he did with England almost four years ago.
Perhaps, with ultra-hindsight, the perfect time for his departure would have been the end of the previous Ashes. He had turned the ship around and could have handed the reins to a more meticulous leader capable of taking England to the next level. Sydney is on track to be a 14th defeat in 28 matches since then.
It has been suggested McCullum could have additions to the staff imposed upon him. It is hard to see how any head coach is forced into a backroom shuffle without feeling undermined.
Stokes has publicly supported McCullum, as he should. If Stokes has strong feelings about the identity of the coaching staff, he should be heard. Surely the captain can see where his team have failed, and where they need to tighten up.
The immediate future is not clear. England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson and chief executive Richard Gould have been in Sydney to see the grisly ending. Director of cricket Rob Key will take as much accountability as McCullum and is of similar risk of losing his job.
This England regime has escaped criticism for previous results, often because mitigation has been found.
England enforced the follow-on against New Zealand in Wellington in 2023 and lost, but it was lauded as a one-run classic. Falling 2-0 down in the Ashes of the same year was masked by the Jonny Bairstow stumping and fightback to 2-2.
Series defeats in India and Pakistan in 2024 were explained by historical struggles batting against and bowling spin. The disappointment of a 2-2 draw with India last summer was lost in the heroics of a one-armed Chris Woakes at The Oval.
More than anything, evaluation of the Bazball era was reserved because this England management asked to be judged on this Ashes series.
That judgement is now. There is more cricket to be played, but this felt like an ending.
