England ended their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with three defeats in as many matches. Following these disappointing results, they are set to begin a period of introspection, with their immediate focus shifting to the future of white-ball leadership.
Head coach Brendon McCullum said that England’s struggles in the tournament stemmed, at least in part, from a lack of self-belief among the players.
Speaking after their heavy defeat to South Africa, McCullum said his team lacked the confidence required to succeed at this level.
“We didn’t play with enough conviction,” McCullum quoted in an ICC news article. “There’s no hiding from that fact. In professional sport, sometimes things don’t go your way, and you have to accept it and keep moving forward.”
The situation has been made even more complex by Jos Buttler’s decision to step down as captain just before England’s final group match.
Buttler’s call to relinquish the role was a direct response to England’s prolonged struggles in one-day cricket, and his decision leaves a big leadership void for McCullum and the England and Wales Cricket Board to fill.
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McCullum confirmed that England will assess their leadership structure over the coming weeks. One key question is whether England will appoint a single captain for both ODIs and T20Is, or split the responsibility between two players.
“We’ll figure that out after proper discussions,” McCullum said. “Whether it’s one captain or two, the important thing is to understand what each team needs and how to put the right structure in place for both formats.”
McCullum also hinted that a new captain will likely want to shape the team in their own image, bringing fresh ideas and their own brand of leadership. That, he believes, could spark the evolution the team needs after a tough campaign.
The search for Buttler’s successor will begin almost immediately, with McCullum planning to meet with ECB officials to map out a plan for the future.
“The conversations will start once I’m back home. We need to understand what the team needs and learn from this tournament so we come back stronger next time,” McCullum said.