UK Media Calls For Buttler And McCullum’s Resignation Following England’s Early Exit From Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has turned into an unmitigated disaster for England, the defending champions. Their shocking early exit from the tournament was sealed on February 26, following a humiliating eight-run defeat to Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. This loss marked the lowest point in England’s recent cricketing history and followed a 3-0 ODI whitewash in India earlier this year, raising serious concerns about the team’s direction, leadership, and strategy.

The fallout has been swift and brutal, with media outlets, former players, and fans calling for immediate changes. Captain Jos Buttler and head coach Brendon McCullum are facing immense scrutiny, with calls for their resignations growing louder.

As England’s white-ball dominance crumbles, the team finds itself at a crossroads. With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) must make tough decisions—either stick with the current setup and attempt a turnaround, or undergo a radical overhaul to rebuild from scratch.

A Campaign in Ruins: England’s Champions Trophy Nightmare

England entered the Champions Trophy as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in 2017 and enjoyed white-ball success in recent years. However, their 2025 campaign was nothing short of disastrous.

England’s Champions Trophy Results:

🏏 Lost to South Africa by 97 runs
🏏 Lost to Afghanistan by 8 runs
❌ Eliminated in the group stage

In two matches, England’s much-vaunted batting lineup collapsed under pressure, their bowling lacked penetration, and their decision-making on the field was questionable at best. Their performance against Afghanistan—where they failed to chase 326 despite a heroic 120 from Joe Root—became the final nail in the coffin.

England’s Dismal ODI Record Since January 2024:

📉 Played: 10
❌ Lost: 9
✅ Won: 1
🌍 Winless streak in Asia

The numbers paint a bleak picture—a team that once dominated white-ball cricket now struggles to win against both top-tier and emerging teams.

Media Backlash: ‘Buttler Must Go Now’

The response from the UK media was swift, scathing, and unforgiving.

What the Media is Saying:

📢 The Daily Mail: “Buttler Must Go Now… The Whiff of Self-Delusion Has Become Too Much”
📢 BBC Sport: “Replacing Buttler the Sensible Thing to Do”
📢 Sky Sports (Nasser Hussain): “It’s time for Jos to resign and for England to move on.”

Former England captain Nasser Hussain was particularly vocal, stating that Buttler had lost control of the dressing room and lacked the tactical sharpness needed for modern white-ball cricket.

Even the typically balanced Wisden Cricket Monthly was harsh in its assessment:
📢 “Familiar Failings Make One Thing Clear: England Have Gone Backwards Under McCullum.”

Clearly, the pressure is mounting on both Buttler and McCullum, and it appears only a matter of time before changes are made.

Jos Buttler Under Fire: Captaincy on the Brink

Jos Buttler has been a stalwart of England’s white-ball setup, but his tenure as captain is now in serious doubt.

Why Buttler is Under Pressure:

🔹 Poor tactical decisions—questionable bowling changes, lack of aggression in key moments
🔹 Failure to inspire the team—England’s body language has been negative throughout
🔹 Batting struggles—his own form has been inconsistent, averaging under 30 in ODIs since 2024
🔹 Lack of leadership impact—team appears lost and without direction

Buttler himself hinted at stepping down, stating after the Afghanistan defeat:
🗣️ “I will take some time to reflect. If I am not the right man for the job, I will accept that.”

With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, the ECB cannot afford to wait too long to make a decision. If Buttler does resign or is sacked, the obvious question is: Who replaces him?

Possible Replacements for Buttler as Captain

If England decides to move on from Buttler, here are the likely candidates:

Ben Stokes – The Natural Leader

Proven leadership skills (led England to 2022 T20 World Cup victory)
Big-match temperament and ability to inspire teammates
Workload concerns—can he handle Test and ODI duties?

Moeen Ali – The Experienced Campaigner

Respected within the dressing room
Calm, tactical thinker
Not a guaranteed starter in ODIs

Jos Buttler (One More Chance?)

Vast experience as captain
Still England’s best wicketkeeper-batter in white-ball cricket
Has already lost the dressing room?

With no clear frontrunner, England’s leadership crisis may extend beyond just Buttler’s resignation.

McCullum’s ‘Bazball’ Philosophy: Brilliant or Bust?

Another major talking point has been the failure of Brendon McCullum’s coaching methods.

📰 The I Paper: “Brendon McCullum’s Strength as England Coach Has Become a Weakness.”
📰 The Cricketer: “Those Behind England’s Bazball Need a Reality Check.”

When McCullum took over England’s red-ball setup, his aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy revolutionized Test cricket. However, since taking over as white-ball head coach in January 2025, the same approach has not translated into ODI success.

Why McCullum’s ‘Bazball’ Has Failed in ODIs:

Over-aggressive approach in unsuitable conditions
Failure to adapt strategies against spin in Asia
Bizarre squad selections and lack of role clarity

England’s approach has been too rigid, with reckless shot-making and over-aggression leading to avoidable collapses. The team appears stubbornly unwilling to adapt—a stark contrast to their flexibility and dominance under Eoin Morgan’s leadership.

With McCullum’s future now uncertain, the ECB must decide whether to continue backing his philosophy or move in a different direction.

What Next for England? The Road to Redemption

With the T20 World Cup 2026 just 16 months away, England must act quickly to fix their issues.

Leadership Reset – Change Captain and Coach?

England must decide whether to stick with Buttler & McCullum or bring in fresh leadership.

Squad Overhaul – Remove Underperformers?

Out-of-form players like Jason Roy and Dawid Malan may face the axe
Younger talents like Harry Brook and Will Jacks need consistent chances

Tactical Rethink – Adapt ‘Bazball’ or Scrap It?

England’s white-ball approach needs more balance—blind aggression isn’t working.

Revamp ODI Strategy – Learn from Other Teams

Teams like India, Australia, and South Africa have adapted their strategies better in ODIs. England must evolve if they want to stay competitive.

Final Thoughts: England’s White-Ball Empire in Decline?

Once the pioneers of modern white-ball cricket, England now find themselves in disarray. Their Champions Trophy disaster has triggered a full-scale identity crisis, and unless the ECB takes bold and decisive steps, their dominance in white-ball cricket could be over.

🔮 Will England stick with Buttler and McCullum?
🔮 Can they rebuild in time for the T20 World Cup?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain—the era of England’s invincibility is over.

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