\n<\/p>\n
The tour of Australia was blighted by mistakes on and off the field.<\/p>\n
England were accused of a lack of adequate preparation, playing only one warm-up match against England Lions at a club ground in Perth before the first Test.<\/p>\n
Despite the Brook incident, which took place on the eve of the third one-day international against New Zealand in Wellington prior to the Ashes series, England’s alcohol consumption in Australia came under scrutiny. Opener Ben Duckett was captured on video by a member of the public, apparently drunk during a mid-series holiday in Noosa.<\/p>\n
Without a specialist fielding coach, England’s efforts in the Test series were severely hampered by dropped catches.<\/p>\n
Since the tour of Australia, England have employed fielding coach Carl Hopkinson for part of the World Cup and their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. They have also imposed a midnight curfew on players and staff.<\/p>\n
Luke Wright has left his post as national selector of the men’s teams, though that was a personal decision rather than linked to the Ashes.<\/p>\n
Talks between the ECB and Cricket Australia have resulted in the prospect of the two boards agreeing on improved arrangements for preparation for future Ashes series in both countries.<\/p>\n
And the ECB plans to make a new non-executive appointment to its board in order to boost cricketing expertise.<\/p>\n
In Australia, Test captain Ben Stokes threw his support behind McCullum, who is contracted until the autumn of 2027.<\/p>\n
That support was echoed by Brook on Thursday, who said McCullum should “125%” remain in charge.<\/p>\n
“I’ve said plenty of times he’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” said Brook. “Our partnership has been good throughout the competition and since I’ve taken over. Long may it continue.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n