GOING TO BAT FOR BRENDON IS TOUGH ASK

BRENDON MCCULLUM is on borrowed time after the latest Ashes flop - and would have been lucky to start the series as a head coach outwith England.

- Richard Edwards

So claims Stuart Law who believes the Kiwi head coach may have lost the trust of key players already.

The tourists went into the fifth Test in Sydney last night with the series done.

Law has coached Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies and Afghanistan.

And the former Australia international reckons last week's win for England in Melbourne only papers over the cracks.

Law said: "Look at McCullum's record overall and it’s pretty good.

"But if you take a snapshot since 2024, it doesn't read well at all.

"That suggests there might be an element of distrust creeping in. Joe Root is a great example.

"When he bought fully into the 'gung-ho mantra - reverse ramps, first-ball heroics - his game suffered.

"Now he just bats at his tempo, his way, and he scores hundreds again.