5 h. ago Rob Key likely to survive but T20 World Cup crucial to Brendon McCullum’s fate

Key told ECB review of willingness to change after AshesMcCullum has had poor record in white-ball cricketRob Key’s position as England’s managing director of men’s cricket is looking increasingly secure after the initial stages of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s review of the Ashes defeat, but the future of Brendon McCullum as coach remains uncertain and will be heavily influenced by his side’s performances at next month’s T20 World Cup.Key is understood to have spoken to the ECB chief executive, Richard Gould, and chair, Richard Thompson, and taken responsibility for England’s poor preparation for the Ashes and some bungled selections while on tour. He is believed to have indicated a willingness to do things differently if allowed to stay on, a crucial concession that could end up saving him. Continue reading...

Events

37 h. ago England’s Sri Lanka tour takes on added significance after troubled Ashes series

The tourists will be under more scrutiny than they might have expected following a bruising 4-1 defeat Down Under.

Events

6 d. ago Arsenal: Mikel Arteta opens up on key selection decision for Chelsea semi

Gunners boss faces dilemma over crucial position ahead of Carabao Cup first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge

Politics

7 d. ago Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal challenge ahead of crucial Chelsea Carabao Cup clash

Huge London derby showdown takes place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday

Sport

1 week ago Alastair Cook outlines stance over becoming England’s next head coach

The former England captain has been linked with replacing Brendon McCullum as head coach

Society

1 week ago Brendon McCullum to continue as England head coach ahead of T20 World Cup

Major decisions expected to be made following the tournament

Politics

1 week ago Brendon McCullum holds talks on England future and ‘keen to carry on’

The head coach’s position is under scrutiny as the ECB reviews a dismal Ashes defeat.

Politics

1 week ago Brendon McCullum keen to carry on with England but wants to ‘steer the ship’

Head coach defends methods and leadership after AshesTeam culture likely to be main focus of ECB reviewAt the end of a sorry Ashes loss capped off by news of Harry Brook’s involvement in a late-night incident two months earlier, Brendon McCullum set out his position as England head coach: if his wings are clipped and his ethos compromised then “maybe there is someone better” to do the role.The caveat is key here. McCullum is keen to continue and having held talks with Richard Thompson and Richard Gould, chair and chief executive respectively of the England and Wales Cricket Board, he appears set to – at least for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka that begins in less than a fortnight. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago The mediocre Ashes: England arrived as a rabble and Australia weren’t much better | Geoff Lemon

Australia were there for the taking but Brendon McCullum’s tourists were so poor and ill-prepared they never got closeAs far as endings go, it ended nicely. People streamed on to the Sydney Cricket Ground, wanting to get close to the trophy presentation and to have a canter on the turf. Nothing thrills an audience more than a chance to walk the stage. On a sun-kissed blue-heaven day, the match had finished early enough to leave plenty of afternoon to spare. Later Usman Khawaja soaked that up with his own crowd of family and friends, on his last day as a Test player.These endings are supposed to signal the close of something momentous. Another Ashes wrapped up, another chapter in the rivalry written. Still, once it was done, the whole thing felt like it had been more hole than doughnut. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Sack the vibe: goodbye Bazball and hello England’s search for a cricketing soul | Barney Ronay

There have to be consequences for Rob Key and Brendon McCullum but English cricket’s problems lie much deeper and will be much harder to fixIt seemed fitting, as the final moments ticked down at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as the day, the match, the tour seemed to ooze and melt a little at the edges under a hard white January sun, that Ben Stokes should finish this Ashes series still standing, but only just.It was at least a suitably slapstick final session in front of a scattered, holiday-ish crowd. Australia custard-pied their way to a victory total of 160, narrowly avoiding falling pianos, dangling off giant clocktowers along the way. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago The two men who should really be in the firing line after latest Ashes debacle

Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes are taking the flak after the debacle Down Under but the spotlight should also be on their complacent ECB bosses

Politics

1 week ago England’s Ashes humbling was more a series of letdowns than ‘series of our lives’ | Ali Martin

They landed in Perth expecting to challenge Australia but after a 4-1 defeat and more off-field revelations, the laid-back approach of McCullum’s regime is in the ECB’s sightsIt was billed as “the series of our lives” by Brendon McCullum but as he and Ben Stokes looked over towards the podium to watch Steve Smith and Pat Cummins lift the crystal Ashes trophy under an azure sky, the optimism that preceded this failed campaign felt a lifetime ago.They landed in Perth two months ago with what they and many thought was an aggressive, dynamic England side, finally set to challenge Australia’s ageing champions after three miserable tours. Cue a 4-1 humbling, offset by one maelstrom win in Melbourne but with the Ashes already lost in 11 days. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Brendon McCullum insists he ‘won’t be told what to do’ after England’s heavy Ashes defeat

A five-wicket defeat in Sydney closed the book on a dreadful tour for England and head coach McCullum

Politics

1 week ago Brendon McCullum open to ‘tweaks’ but keen to stand firm as Ashes fallout begins

A five-wicket defeat in Sydney closed the book on a dreadful tour that saw high hopes of bringing the urn back home dissolve into another heavy loss.

Politics

1 week ago England cricket boss promises ‘necessary changes’ after Ashes defeat

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould said a ‘thorough review’ was already underway.

Politics

2 w. ago England have only one choice after total mental disintegration in Ashes

Comment: England have completely failed in three basic areas during this Ashes, writes Cameron Ponsonby at the SCG, to confirm exactly what must now be done

Politics

2 w. ago 10 next Aberdeen manager candidates to replace Jimmy Thelin as Lutz Pffanenstiel throws up wildcards

The German sporting director is set to make the crucial call to replace the Scottish Cup winning boss

Politics

2 w. ago Ben Stokes calls for players to put team first as England seek Sydney win

A 3-2 series loss is the best the tourists can hope to salvage at the SCG.

Sport

2 w. ago Defiant Ben Stokes makes case for England to extend ‘Bazball’ double act with Brendon McCullum

The futures of Stokes and McCullum have been under the microscope after England’s Ashes disappointment

Politics

2 w. ago Ben Stokes wants McCullum to stay as England coach despite Ashes loss

Captain says they are ‘right people to carry on doing this ’Stokes believes the pair can push team to greater heightsBen Stokes has said he has no doubt he wants Brendon McCullum alongside him as the England head coach, but accepted the Ashes defeat means the pair must sit down before the summer and work out how they can upgrade the team.Senior figures at the England and Wales Cricket Board are wary of making sweeping changes and with Stokes seemingly safe, McCullum’s fate as head coach probably rests on his endorsement. Continue reading...

Politics