Brendon McCullum: Sacking England coach would have been ‘easy thing to do’ – ECB chief

Sacking head coach Brendon McCullum after England’s Ashes debacle would have been the “easy thing to do”, according to England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould.

McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key and Test captain Ben Stokes are to remain in their posts despite the 4-1 Test defeat in Australia, a tour blighted by poor planning, substandard performances and off-field issues.

Gould was speaking alongside Key at Lord’s on Monday, discussing the findings of a review of the tour.

“I’ve seen the driving ambition and determination that we’re lucky enough to have within our leadership group to take the lessons from the Ashes and move forward,” said Gould.

“These are all individuals that have got other things that they can do in their lives. They are all committed to doing the best for England and to learning the lessons that are evident.”

Gould is the son of former Wales and Wimbledon football manager Bobby and has also previously served as the chief executive of Bristol City Football Club.

“My old man was a football manager,” he said. “Sacking was part of the job and it wasn’t necessarily the right thing. Moving people on can sometimes be the easy thing to do. That’s not the route that we’re going to take.”

More to follow.