Story byMatthew Henry - BBC Sport journalistSun, December 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM UTC·3 min readCoach Brendon McCullum accepted England may have made mistakes with their Ashes preparation after their series defeat was confirmed in Adelaide. Despite some fight from the tourists, Australia completed an 82-run victory on the fifth day of the third Test to clinch the urn at the earliest possible opportunity. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEngland were heavily beaten in the first two Tests and their preparation, which included only one warm-up match against an England Lions development side before the series, has been widely questioned throughout."It is disappointing when you lose and I'm sure there will be plenty of questions asked and rightfully so," McCullum said to BBC Test Match Special."We haven't got everything right. I haven't got everything right as a coach and I put my hand up for that."England beaten to lose another Ashes in Australia'Test career over for now?' - Ashes player ratingsThe 10 moments that decided the AshesThe futures of McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and managing director Rob Key will all be questioned following the defeat. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn arranging the game against the Lions, England replicated their preparations for other tours under this regime, including in India and Pakistan last year, in opting against warm-up matches. McCullum's comments were a change in tone for a hierarchy who usually remain resolute in backing their own decisions."I have been very strong about the conviction we had and our preparation and, you know, for us, it was a matter of trying to replicate what we have done in series that have been successful for us away from home," McCullum said."Maybe we didn't get that right and I'll acknowledge that."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe added: "Ultimately you are responsible for how you get your side ready and how you prepare them."We are 3-0 down so you would probably say there was room for change there."Again, you put your hand up as a coach and say you might not have got that right."At the same time I felt it would give us our best chance because it has previously. Sitting here 3-0, it didn't work."Brendon McCullum has been England's Test coach since the start of the 2022 home summer []After losing the first Test in Perth in two days, England also decided against sending their first XI players to Canberra to play in a pink-ball practice match before the day-night second Test and instead arranged extra sessions in the nets at the Gabba. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMcCullum suggested less time in training would have been more beneficial."The five intense training days leading into Brisbane when we knew it was going to be hot," he said.