Brendon McCullum blocks Ben Stokes’ No.3 promotion as Ashes slips away: 'No knee-jerk reactions'

England cricket team head coach Brendon McCullum has taken a sly dig at the former captain and commentator Michael Vaughan over his Ben Stokes suggestion ahead of the do-or-die third Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

The touring side has already lost the first two tests, with Australia taking a 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match test series. Despite staring at yet another Test series loss down under, England is determined to stick with its current plan for the third Test, starting on December 17 in Adelaide.

Brendon McCullum takes a swipe at Michael Vaughan as England reject Ben Stokes' No.3 move

McCullum has made it clear that he will keep the same top seven batters who have been England’s first choice for the past 18 months. He is warning against making sudden changes just because the team has struggled early in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26.

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So far, England’s batting has been a major problem for them on the tour. They were bowled out for 172, 164, 334, and 241 across the first two tests. Only Joe Root has managed to maintain an average above 30. Players like Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith failed to make big contributions, while Jacob Bethell is waiting in the wings as a backup batter.

Recently, Michael Vaughan has suggested a change in the batting order. He believes that the captain, Ben Stokes, who is technically strong with the bat, should move up to No. 3. Vaughan thinks this could give the batting lineup more stability and firepower in the tough Australian conditions.

Brendon McCullum confirms no change in batting order for Adelaide Test

Stokes’ ability to handle difficult bowling could be crucial if England wants to stay in the ongoing Ashes series. However, McCullum is focused on keeping the team stable rather than reacting to early setbacks. He believes that the conditions in Adelaide, which are less extreme in pace and bounce compared to Perth and Brisbane, will suit the current batting lineup better.

Brendon McCullum told reporters in Adelaide, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “I wouldn't have thought so. From our point of view, we've had a top seven now for a period of time, and we've been reasonably successful with it. These conditions should suit the style of batters that we've got as well. We know we haven't got enough runs so far in this series. We've been in positions where we could have made some mistakes, and that can happen at times.”

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It's about making sure we have our plans and our disciplines around - Brendon McCullum

He has stressed that England needs only confidence, discipline, and belief in their own abilities, and felt that changing a settled batting order in reaction to early failures is not the way to succeed. The England coach explained, “But for us to go on and win this series, it's not about throwing out what has been successful for us over the last few years. It's about having more conviction.”

McCullum signed off by saying, “It's about making sure we have our plans and our disciplines around it just screwed down a touch more; making sure when we walk out there, we have utter belief in what we are capable of achieving. Knee-jerk reactions and chopping and changing settled batting line-ups are not really our way.”