an implosion from which England never recovered.
World Cup 2026
Yes, there was the Ashes planning (or lack of it), Harry Brook’s tangle with a nightclub bouncer and Noosa. A while back there was the tap on James Anderson’s shoulder, and just recently there was Ben Stokes’ ill-fated night out.
In terms of where it all went wrong, they pale in significance next to the shambolic Saturday afternoon in Perth.
And it was right there, in the palm of England’s hand. One calm session would, in all likelihood, have been enough to win the first Test against Australia.
Match Details
Who knows what might have happened after that?
England did not do calm sessions under Brendon McCullum – run towards the danger and all that. Nine wickets for 99 runs might be the most consequential batting collapse in English cricketing history, with aftershocks still being felt seven months later.
All leading to this: another stunning Sunday. English cricket used to save its best for Sundays – Anya Shrubsole in 2017, Stokes twice in 2019. Now, on two Sundays two weeks apart, Stokes has walked and McCullum has been pushed.
Tournament Impact
It leaves the England Test team back where they were four years ago: without a captain and without a coach.
“Time for us all to buckle up and get ready for the ride,” said director of cricket Rob Key when McCullum was appointed. At the beginning, what a ride it was.
Bucket hats, nighthawks and all the golf. Some of England’s most incredible wins, achieved in breathtaking style. New Zealand at Trent Bridge, India at Edgbaston, Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
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