Duo not out after shambles

THE England and Wales Cricket Board has defended its decision to back Brendon McCullum and Rob Key - insisting their futures could not be settled by a football-style “popularity campaign”.

- BY RORY DOLLARD

The governing body promised a “thorough review” into England's resounding 4-1 Ashes defeat Down Under, a tour plagued by criticisms of sloppy preparation, excessive drinking and selection mistakes.

But the ECB concluded evolution under McCullum, as head coach, and Key (below), as managing director, is preferable to swinging the axe.