Nine’s Wide World of Sports
Australian cricket great Ian Healy believes that Brendon McCullum has "got to go" as England head coach if things continue to spiral in the Ashes.
The visitors were in complete control of the first Test in Perth last week, but capitulated and lost inside two days of action.
The brash Bazball style had been a major talking point leading into the series, with many of the belief this was the best chance England have had in quite some time to regain the urn away from home, due to their aggressive mindset with bat and ball.
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Things couldn't have started worse, with the pitfalls of Bazball on full display in both of their innings, losing a plethora of wickets to loose shots and failing to play to conditions.
While the players have worn the brunt of the criticism, Healy believes that the buck stops with McCullum, who has pushed the England side to play in such a manner.
England coach Brendon McCullum Getty
And if things keep going south in the next four matches against an Aussie side that is only tipped to improve, it could be curtains for McCullum's tenure.
"The coach would go first before the captain [Ben Stokes], because he's a world-class player," the former Test keeper said on SEN.
"He will be performing – even if they are going down that badly. I think the coach has got to go because they've just outright flat batted any advice from others that know the history of the game and what you should try in certain conditions and moments.
"They've taken it upon themselves to do it this way and if it doesn't work, they will be in trouble. If you want to play this way, you'd want to get better at it.
"You're up against the conditions, a good Australian bowling attack and history.
"You have to have a bit of ticker and a bit of common sense in amongst what they're doing. If not, they're going to get hurt.
"If they go down badly, whether that's 4-1, 4-0 or 5-0, look out."
England have copped heavy criticism from some ex-players, including Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott for the way they prepared before the first Test.
Vaughan and others were then left gobsmacked when none of the XI from the match were selected to play in a pink-ball tour match in Canberra, which begins on Friday.
The second Test kicks off on December 4 at the Gabba.
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'The coach has got to go': Ian Healy sharpens axe for Brendon McCullum in wake of disastrous England start – Nine
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