Problems inside the England camp during the recent Ashes 2025-26 in Australia have now been finally exposed by the English media. England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes were not always on the same page, even though they looked united in public.
Despite their Ashes loss to Australia by a 4-1 margin, both McCullum and Stokes kept supporting the Bazball style openly, but the things behind closed doors were very different.
Explosive report reveals Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes rift during Ashes 2025-26
A bombshell new report by The Telegraph has lifted the lid on the serious behind-the-scenes tensions between Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes during their disastrous 2025-26 Ashes campaign in Australia.
Your daily dose of cricket!
It is being said that there was a significant tactical and philosophical clash between the coach and captain that played a key role in the team’s embarrassing Ashes defeat in Australia.
The incident: training ground dispute sparks rift
The report revealed that the first heated exchange happened during the long break between the first and second tests. England had suffered a heavy loss in the first Test that ended in just two days. After the Ashes opener, McCullum and Stokes had opposite ideas about how to handle the team.
Brendon McCullum’s Approach: The head coach wanted lighter and relaxed sessions so that the players could stay fresh and relaxed and maintain a positive mindset.
Stokes’ Demand: The captain wanted intense and grueling training physically and mentally. He felt the team needed more intense work to bounce back from such an embarrassing defeat.
This disagreement on philosophy created the first crack in their once-solid partnership.
Tactical tensions spill onto the field
This difference slowly began showing on the field as well. As the five-match Test series progressed, Stokes, who is usually very attacking, started batting more carefully and became cautious with his bowling plans. This change did not sit well with Brendon McCullum, who strongly believes in always playing positive and aggressive cricket.
Read Also: ‘Angry’ James Anderson destroys Ben Stokes over ‘nonsense’ comments after 1-4 Ashes defeat
The report claimed that this also caused tension inside the England dressing room. Their words in public also began to sound different. Stokes started talking more about toughness, fight, and mental strength. He wanted his players to show more hunger and grit.
On the other hand, McCullum continued to speak about freedom, trust, and keeping a happy team environment. An insider claimed that McCullum felt Stokes was starting to feel the pressure of the Ashes 2025-26, and this was affecting his decisions and instincts.
Mixed messages and confusing team selections
England’s team selections and plans also became confusing as Stokes and McCullum were not fully aligned during the Ashes tour. Some decisions made little sense, such as playing Will Jacks at number eight on flat pitches where batting depth was needed. The overall strategy looked unclear, and the team never found a proper rhythm during the Test series.
