Brook named new England white-ball cricket captain

LONDON: Harry Brook has been appointed as England´s new white-ball captain, with team chief Rob Key lauding his “excellent cricket brain”.

The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Monday that Brook would lead both the one-day international and T20 teams. The 26-year-old Yorkshire batsman was the favourite to succeed Jos Buttler, who stood down in February after a woeful Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan ended with England failing to reach the semi-finals.

England failed to retain either their T20 or 50-over World Cup titles under Buttler´s captaincy. Brook was already Buttler´s deputy and stood in as skipper during an ODI series against Australia in September.

Unlike several other potential candidates, Brook is also a first-choice selection across all formats. Concerns had been raised about whether it would hamper Brook´s career as a Test batsman were he to be given the white-ball captaincy.

England director of men´s cricket Key even floated the idea that Test skipper Ben Stokes could take over as captain in the shorter formats as well while speaking during a press conference at Lord´s last month.

But 33-year-old all-rounder Stokes is currently recovering from a second major hamstring tear in the space of six months and should now be able to concentrate solely on getting ready for upcoming red-ball series at home to India and away to Australia.

Brook has played 26 ODIs for England, scoring 816 runs at an average of 34.00, with a top score of 110. In T20s, he has earned 44 caps and made a highest score of 81. He was also a member of the England team that won the 2022 T20 World Cup.

“It´s a real honour to be named England´s white-ball captain,” said Brook. “Ever since I was a kid playing cricket at Burley-in-Wharfedale, I dreamed of representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and maybe one day leading the team. To now be given that chance means a great deal to me.”

He added: “There´s so much talent in this country, and I´m looking forward to getting started, moving us forward, and working towards winning series, World Cups and major events.” Key said: “I´m delighted that Harry Brook has accepted the role as England´s white-ball captain across both formats. He´s been part of our succession planning for some time, albeit this opportunity has come slightly earlier than expected.