Fast bowler Reece Topley has joined Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow in criticizing the England Cricket management led by coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key.
This month, Livingstone expressed discontent with the ‘Bazball’ approach, describing his experience during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as one of his worst times with the team. He mentioned being dropped from the white-ball squad with little communication.
Topley supported Livingstone’s remarks, stating that he also faced a lack of communication from the management about his position in the team. The 32-year-old criticized the current regime for lacking managerial skills.
“I think Liam Livingstone has been a bit kind with his views on the England management; shall we leave it like that? But I’m not surprised by what he said. The communication hasn’t been great for me, either. But when you appoint a manager who has no experience of management, what do you expect?” Topley told The Cricketer magazine.
Topley has played 65 matches for England across two white-ball formats, taking 80 wickets. He last played for the national team in December 2024 during their tour of the West Indies. In the first T20I in Bridgetown, he sustained a knee injury, limiting him to just 2.4 overs. Recently, he took part in five matches for the Sydney Thunder in the 2025-26 Big Bash League, claiming five wickets.
McCullum’s management has faced significant criticism for both their performance on the field and behavior off it. The team suffered a major 4-1 defeat in the Ashes series against Australia.
Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, was also involved in an incident with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand just before their ODI against the Black Caps in Wellington.
Despite the unfavorable reports from the England camp, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to retain coach McCullum for the upcoming home summer.