Brendon McCullum: England’s highs and lows in the Bazball era

Perhaps the outcome that ended Bazball in most people’s minds, if not in reality: the disposal of the ashes in Australia.

England’s joyous departure at the end of the first day in Perth seems a distant memory.

Despite being all out for 172, the visitors were poised to take the lead in the first innings after reducing Australia to 123-9.

Even just after lunch on the second day, all was going well for England as they were leading by over 100 runs, just one wicket behind.

Then everything went wrong.

A collapse from 65-1 to 88-6 saw Travis Head tear them apart and they were defeated within two days.

Australia needed slightly longer to get the job done in the day-night race in Brisbane but still won comfortably and although there was some more fight late on in Adelaide, it was too late and the Ashes dream was over.

This was all against the Australian side losing Pat Cummins in the first two Tests (and who was able to be rested in the last two), Josh Hazlewood for the entire series and Steve Smith in the third.

Victory in Melbourne, Australia’s first in 15 years, was a source of consolation.

McCullum was given another chance but a 2-1 series defeat against New Zealand in the summer of 2026 saw him sacked by England.