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Under pressure after losing the Ashes in the first three Tests, Brendon McCullum wants to remain England coach but admitted that the decision about his future at the top post is not in his hands. England lost the Adelaide Test by eight wickets and, with it, lost the coveted urn with two Test matches still to play.
McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes have been under fire after presiding over the latest embarrassing chapter to England's horrendous Ashes record in Australia, who achieved an unassailable 3-0 lead to retain the urn inside 11 days.
With England's winless streak in Australia stretching to 18 matches, 'Bazball' has come under the spotlight, and England are under the scanner for their stubbornness in overusing the highly hyped approach.
Fans, experts and former players have raised questions over England's one-dimensional style of play and the lack of flexibility to adapt to the ethos of Test cricket.
Though McCullum is contracted to England till the 50-over World Cup in 2027, a period that features the next home Ashes in the same year, he admitted a decision on his future is out of his hands after the Ashes 2025-26 debacle.
"It's a pretty good gig. It's good fun," said McCullum. "You travel the world with the lads and try to play some exciting cricket and try to achieve some things.
"You want to try to get the best out of people. I don't do anything to protect the job. It's a matter of trying to just get the very best out of the people and try to achieve what you can with them."
Asked about his chances of remaining in the hot seat the home summer next year, McCullum said: "I don't know. It's not really up to me, is it?
"I'll just keep trying to do the job, trying to learn the lessons I haven't quite got right here and try to make some adjustments. Those questions are for someone else, not for me."
The former Kiwi skipper took charge in 2022 in the aftermath of England's 0-4 loss in the previous Ashes tour.
The McCullum-Stokes partnership took world cricket by storm and introduced 'Bazball' to the global audience, and rejuvenated England's Test cricket with 10 wins from the first 11 games in charge.
However, it seems Bazball has run its race with England failing to win any of their marquee five-match series against Australia or India. Following the blockbuster start, England have lost 16, won 15 out of 33 Tests.
The final two Tests of the ongoing Ashes will be played in Melbourne and Sydney on December 26 and January 4.
