Brendon McCullum has confirmed his full coaching team for the upcoming Ashes series, with Australian coach David Saker returning to the England setup as a special skills consultant. Saker, who previously worked with England during the successful 2010-11 and 2013 Ashes campaigns, as well as the drawn 2023 series, will again lend his expertise as England prepare for the challenge ahead in Australia.
Saker is set to join the England Lions in early November and will stay with the senior side throughout all five Tests. His appointment adds significant experience to McCullum’s staff, given his previous stints as England’s fast-bowling coach between 2010 and 2015 and later as Australia’s assistant coach from 2016 to 2019. His dual Ashes experience on both sides of the rivalry makes him a valuable asset for England’s preparations.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee will also continue to serve in his role as a special skills consultant until the conclusion of the first Test in Perth, after which he will leave to honour playing commitments in the UAE’s International League T20. Southee’s insights, particularly on conditions in Australasia, have been praised by England’s players for their tactical value.
Mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, known for his long association with the New Zealand All Blacks, will also return to the England camp. After first joining the team in July ahead of their Test against India, Enoka has been working closely with both the white-ball and Test squads. His sessions are focused on mental resilience and team cohesion—key elements in McCullum’s philosophy of fearless cricket.
Harry Brook, England’s white-ball captain, described Enoka’s impact as “awesome,” highlighting the mental clarity and calmness he brings to the group. Brook also praised Southee for his wealth of experience, calling him “a fountain of knowledge.”
Meanwhile, Marcus Trescothick will continue as batting coach, Jeetan Patel as spin coach, and Paul Collingwood remains absent from the coaching setup. With this blend of experience, tactical insight, and mental conditioning expertise, England’s preparation for the 2025 Ashes appears well-balanced as they seek to reclaim the urn on Australian soil.
