Harry Brook has been appointed England’s new ODI and T20 captain leaving Ben Stokes to concentrate on his Test team’s Ashes tilt when he recovers from injury.
Brook, 26, was Jos Buttler’s vice-captain in the final months of his frustrating three-year reign, and has now been confirmed as his successor.
Rob Key, England’s managing director, said when Buttler stepped down that England would be “stupid” not to consider Test captain Stokes as his successor, despite him not playing an ODI since November 2023 or a T20 since November 2022.
But, in the autumn of his career with injuries mounting, he has been left to concentrate on the Test team in a year that features five-Test series at home to India and away to Australia.
Brook has played 70 white-ball internationals (26 ODIs, 44 T20s) since his debut three years ago, and impressed on the occasions he stepped in for Buttler. He has also captained his county, Yorkshire, and Hundred franchise, Northern Superchargers when available between England duties.
Brook’s is not a totally straightforward appointment. England’s busy schedule means he will not be available to play every game in every format, meaning Key and coach Brendon McCullum will need to groom other leaders to stand in for lower key series.
The tour of India and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan earlier this year ultimately doomed Buttler’s captaincy. But it also saw Brook experience a major form dip as his struggles on spinning pitches continued. In the aftermath, he pulled out of the Indian Premier League for the second successive season (in 2024 he was mourning the death of his paternal grandmother Pauline, with whom he was very close, and this year he chose to prioritise England).
“It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain. 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.
“I want to thank my family and coaches who’ve supported me every step of the way. Their belief in me has made all the difference and I wouldn’t be in this position without them.
“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.
“I’m excited to get going and give it everything I’ve got.”
Brook’s first assignment as captain will be against West Indies in May, following a one-off Test against Zimbabwe. He will lead England to the T20 World Cup in India next spring, with the next major ODI tournament coming in late 2027 in South Africa.
Key admitted that Brook’s opportunity as white-ball skipper had arrived sooner than England had expected.
“I’m delighted that Harry Brook has accepted the role as England’s white-ball captain across both formats,” he said. “He’s been part of our succession planning for some time, albeit this opportunity has come slightly earlier than expected.
“Harry is not only an outstanding cricketer, but also has an excellent cricketing brain and a clear vision for both teams that will help drive us towards winning more series, World Cups and major global tournaments.”
