Sports30 June, 20262 min read
Harry Brook Says It Would Be a Privilege to Lead England’s Vacant Test Captaincy
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Brook ready to captain England in Tests after Stokes retirement; backed by Stokes. Open to leading all three formats; says it's an honour.
Brook eyes Test role
Harry Brook said it would be “a privilege” to take England’s vacant Test captaincy after Ben Stokes’ retirement, adding that “It would be a great honour” if he were offered the role. Brook linked the moment to England’s multi-format leadership history, saying it would be “a great honour” to unite the blazers across all formats since Andrew Strauss did so briefly in 2009.
“‘It would be a privilege to do it, to captain England in the highest format of our game,’ Brook said.”
He is set to lead England into the first of five T20s against India at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, only two days after playing New Zealand in a Test at Trent Bridge. Brook said he has committed “completely to England cricket” and does not want to play franchise cricket “bar the Hundred,” while also saying he likes going out “trying to be fearless and putting the pressure back on the opposition.”
Stokes backs Brook
Brook’s comments came as England weighed options after Stokes stepped down, with the BBC noting Brook was “overlooked” for the captaincy for the second Test at The Oval when Root led the side. Stokes publicly backed Brook, telling reporters at Trent Bridge, “I would be throwing my 100 per cent support behind Harry Brook,” and the BBC said Brook agreed “Making Rooty captain that week was definitely the right decision.”
The BBC also described the turnaround from the New Zealand series ending on Monday to the five-match T20 series against India beginning at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, with Brook only meeting James Coles for the first time at training on Tuesday. England named their XI for the first T20 against India at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, with Brook listed as captain alongside Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, and Saqib Mahmood.
Three-format workload
Brook told the BBC he believes it is possible to lead England in all three formats, saying, “I think it is possible,” while also stressing that he does not play franchise cricket and would focus on “fitness and getting ready to play all three formats.” The BBC framed the last time England had a single captain across all three formats as Andrew Strauss in 2009, with Strauss’ spell in charge of the T20 side lasting for one match.
“I think it is possible. I'm not saying it would be easy, but I definitely do think it is possible.”
England director of cricket Rob Key said there were “many reasons” why Brook was not asked to deputise for Stokes, including Brook’s own involvement in a late-night incident in Wellington where he was “punched by a nightclub bouncer.” With England not due to play Test cricket again until August when Pakistan visit for a three-match series, Brook said “It’s up to people well above me” and added, “I'd be happy to do it if I did get asked.”