Jonathon Trott and Brendon McCullum - (Source: AFP)
England cricket has hit a new low as the Ben Stokes-led side lost the Ashes within just 11 days. The Three Lions toured Down Under with a lot of hope to upset Australia and seal their maiden Test win on Australian soil since 2011, when the Three Lions won the Ashes 3-1.
With two games left in the series, England can still save itself from embarrassment. However, the cries and demands for head coach Brendon McCullum’s ouster have already begun.
Rise of Bazball in 2022
Brendon McCullum joined the England side as their red-ball head coach on May 12, 2022, and started his coaching career with a New Zealand series at home. England dominated the tour and clean-swept the Kiwis, leading to a wave of fans hailing McCullum’s signing.
It was a fresh and welcome change in English cricket as the Three Lions were out of answers before McCullum’s appointment. In the same year, South Africa toured England, and the Ben Stokes-led side travelled to Pakistan. Not only did England won the series, but displayed a new aggressive brand of cricket, coining the now popular terminology ‘Bazball’.
The wave of Bazball took over the fans, pundits, and issued a warning to visiting teams even before landing in England. The coach-captain duo of McCullum and Ben Stokes were the new hit, and the English media had already dreamt of a WTC title.
All hype reduced to 'The Ashes'
However, the Bazball effect quickly started to fade as the Three Lions failed to qualify for the 2023 WTC final nor did England do any wonder in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. Questions were raised on the Bazball effect as India toured England in 2025, which ended up in a 2-2 draw. Further, Ashes was the final nail in the coffin as Bazball failed terribly, resulting in England resorting to situation-based cricket under pressure.
Notably, since Brendon McCullum took over, England have played 44 Test matches, emerging winning in 25 matches. The Three Lions lost 17 games and two ties, ending in no-result. England’s winning percentage under McCullum has been just 56.8%.
If we compare McCullum’s tenure with his peers, then Rahul Dravid has coached India in 24 Tests, winning 14 matches and losing seven games. He, too, had a win percentage of 58.33, higher than Brendon McCullum.
Further, Andrew McDonald, who failed to garner as much hype as Brendon McCullum too has a winning percentage of 68.4 after guiding Australia to 26 wins in 38 matches. Prior to the Ashes, McCullum looked irreplacable, but suddenly, his job is under threat and rightly so. But who next?
Who next after McCullum? Why ECB should eye Trott
Since the England cricket team is going through a tough phase, it is certain that the ECB will take action. The process is likely to be fast-tracked if England go on to lose the remaining two games and Australia win the Ashes 5-0. Irrespective of that, the ECB will surely be hunting down contentders to replace McCullum.
Jonathan Trott is one name that should be at the top of the list for the Three Lions. The former England batter will go down in history for uplifting and shaping up Afghanistan cricket.
Proven results with an underdog
Notably, Trott joined Afghanistan cricket on 22nd July 2022 and has completely changed the shape of Afghanistan cricket since his appointment, Afghanistan have played 111 matches, winning 51 and losing 54 games across formats. Trott has a win percentage of 45.9 with Afghanistan cricket.
Trott has turned Afghanistan into one of the most improved sides. The Afghans, under the guidance of Trott, scripted historic World Cup wins over England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2023 and played first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024.
Under his tenure Afghanistan have beaten higher-ranked teams regularly and secured ODI series wins over South Africa and Bangladesh, plus Champions Trophy qualification via a top-eight finish in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Tactical discipline over chaos
McCullum’s “Bazball” is now being attacked as reckless rather than brave, with England’s Ashes collapse and poor World Test Championship returns triggering calls for change and raising doubts about preparation, selection and in-game adaptability.
Trott’s Afghanistan sides have been built on clarity of roles and disciplined batting and bowling plans, executing structured, percentage cricket against stronger oppositions rather than relying on vibes or slogans.
More than depending on a star player such as Rashid Khan, Afghanistan have emerged as a true team, where each player understands their role and have stood up for the team.
Batting brain England badly need
As a former No. 3 who averaged over 44 in Tests, Trott understands top-order batting in English conditions at a level the current setup palpably lacks, especially now that England’s openers and No. 3 continue to be a revolving door.
His work with Afghanistan has emphasised situation-based batting – chasing calmly, stretching first-innings totals, and maximising marginal gains – precisely the balance of aggression and restraint England have failed to find under a one-speed approach.
Modern man-manager with mental health credibility
Trott has spoken openly about anxiety, burnout and the pressures of elite cricket, after his own struggles during the 2013–14 Ashes, and rebuilt his career with help from sports psychiatrists.
That lived experience now feeds into a coaching style that deliberately prioritises conversations beyond cricket and a more empathetic dressing-room culture, something he has highlighted while talking about his work with Afghanistan and on mental health platforms.
Therefore, it is expected that Trott will do the same with England cricket, where he will look after the players' mental well-being specially after such toiling tours down under.
Trott The Guy England are looking for - A final verdict
Trott has publicly acknowledged the attacking instincts of modern players and has spoken about the influence of T20 on the way batters think, but he emphasises on planned aggression, preparation and personal routines rather than a “attack at all costs” phiolosophy.
In short, Trott offers England a chance to keep the courage of the Bazball era while finally adding the tactical maturity and human touch that the Three Lions require.
.jpg?type=mq "Delhi Capitals change")
