As day four of the second Test at the Kia Oval drew to a close, the pressing question was not whether England could pull off a record chase or salvage a draw, but why Brendon McCullum remains head coach six months after he should have stepped aside.
McCullum's Backstory: The Missing Chapter
The popular narrative of McCullum's coaching career begins on 2 January 2013, when his New Zealand side were bowled out for 45 by South Africa in Cape Town. That match is often cited as the birthplace of the aggressive, free-spirited approach that later defined England's 'Bazball' era. According to New Zealand coach Mike Hesson, it was then that McCullum was first empowered to do the job his way.
However, a crucial chapter is omitted. In the months leading up to that Test, McCullum's predecessor as captain, Ross Taylor, was forced out by Hesson, an old teammate of McCullum's. The fallout was so bitter that both men wrote about it in their memoirs, with Taylor describing a dressing room rife with cliques and power struggles. Taylor recounted that when McCullum proposed splitting the captaincy, it was hard to discern his motives, suggesting a possible PR strategy.
McCullum threatened to sue for defamation after being falsely accused of orchestrating Taylor's removal, and later secured an injunction to prevent publication of emails with mental skills coach Kerry Schwalger. Martin Crowe was so appalled by Taylor's treatment that he burned his New Zealand team blazer.
England's Current Shambles
At the Oval, England fielded a side of rookies, with no spinner, two debutant wicketkeepers, and an attack led by a man who had not bowled more than four overs in six months. The team was captained by someone who does not want the role, while their real captain, Ben Stokes, was in Chester-le-Street working out his anger on the Northamptonshire bowling attack.
Poor catching and rash batting have compounded their woes. Every problem traces back to the team's leadership, which this week excludes Stokes. The talk is that Stokes will return for the third Test at Trent Bridge, but questions remain about why McCullum refused to back Stokes as captain and repeatedly cited concerns about Stokes's mental wellbeing.
Durham's chief executive, Tim Bostock, said Stokes has been "absolutely fine, just normal Ben," and expressed bemusement at McCullum's comments.
The End of an Era?
McCullum's England have tried and failed. While they have provided entertainment, the charm of watching them repeat the same mistakes is wearing thin, even for the Saturday crowd at the Oval.
