Brendon McCullum backs England’s top seven to fight back in the third Ashes Test, brushing aside questions about his job. With the series on the line, he emphasizes focusing on performance over job security, insisting there’s no need for changes to the trusted batting order. As England trails 2-0 with three Tests left, McCullum rejected talk of dropping Ollie Pope or moving Ben Stokes to No. 3, reaffirming his belief in the current lineup.
“I wouldn’t have thought so,” he said when asked if the batting group averaging 22 against Australia’s 37 needed freshening up ahead of the Adelaide Oval Test starting Wednesday. He added that the Adelaide conditions should suit his batters and acknowledged England hasn’t posted enough runs, noting they’ve been in good positions but made mistakes.
Yet his message was clear: they won’t discard what has served them well in recent years. The focus is on conviction, not knee-jerk shuffles. Chopping and changing the settled batting order isn’t part of his approach.
Regarding job security, McCullum dismissed the notion that a 3-0 deficit could cost him his role, pointing out he still has two years left on his contract. He said he coaches to maximize players’ potential, not to protect a job, and expressed belief that performing at their best gives England a real chance to flip the series momentum.
Pope looked most at risk after the Gabba loss, though only Joe Root—who has a century—has averaged above 30 this series. The likely England changes revolve around the bowling attack, which started strongly in Perth but has since lacked discipline.
Josh Tongue could make his first appearance since the English summer, with potential omissions for Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, or Tongue himself depending on form and conditions. England needs to take 20 wickets across three Tests to reclaim the urn.
McCullum explained Tongue’s skill set: high pace, a full-length attack that can swing and reverse swing the ball. If that approach is what yields the best chance of success, Tongue will get the nod.
He also defended Jofra Archer against criticism, especially from Australian observers after a disappointing Brisbane spell. While Archer’s match speeds are often debated, McCullum highlighted that a perceived drop-off in a single innings isn’t the full story and noted Archer’s ability to accelerate when needed.
“The skipper asked the players not to mope or feel sorry for themselves,” McCullum said. “We were outplayed in this game, but we still have an opportunity with about 60 runs to fire some bullets.” He emphasized Archer’s capacity to shift gears and, with his smooth action, to sometimes be misread as bowling within himself. Accuracy and selective aggression can be more effective than raw pace alone.
If the XI remains intact, the other battle is for the spinner’s place. Will Jacks is the current Brisbane incumbent, but Shoaib Bashir has backing for two years with this venue in mind. Neither spinner, as presently configured, seems to frighten Australia.
McCullum cautioned that it’s not about rewriting an entire campaign but focusing on the next challenge. The squad must stay tight as a group and adapt to the conditions and situation ahead. Failing to do so could see 2-0 become 5-0 quickly, a scenario no one wants.
