England’s ‘Over-Prepared’ Claim Raises Eyebrows

England coach Brendon McCullum is interviewed by Channel Seven after losing the Second 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on Dec. 7, 2025. Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Former England cricketers have questioned coach Brendon McCullum’s claim that the tourists trained too hard for the Gabba Test, which ended in a loss that leaves their Ashes hopes in tatters.

England’s training regime has been a point of focus this series, with only internal fixtures and no official practice match scheduled ahead of their first-Test loss in Perth.