Harry Brook as England’s white-ball captain is the correct decision for English cricket, Ben Stokes and Brook himself.
Now I expect Brook to become the Test captain as well at some point in the near future. We hope Stokes goes on to lead England into the 2027 home Ashes, but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.
We just do not know how long his body will last and it would have been selfish to ask Stokes to captain England in all formats. He would have said yes as well, because he never likes letting England down, but he needs to preserve himself for the Test team.
We still see the Test captaincy as the top job in English cricket, rightly or wrongly. And there is no reason why Brook cannot be the first to be full-time captain in all three formats. It could now be a seamless transition between Stokes and Brook.
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He is only 26. He looks like he has a carefree personality and goes about his business the way he wants. The best piece of advice I can give Harry is to take something from every leader he has played under but do it his own way. Do not try to be Eoin Morgan or Stokes. Be Harry Brook.
I do not worry about the tactical side of things because it is always overplayed. It is more important that the captain is respected and brings energy and clarity to the team. I like the fact that when he captained against Australia last summer his own game was not affected. He averaged 78 and scored one hundred and two fifties in that series and he ticks the first box needed by all captains: he is good enough to get in the first XI.
The white-ball team need a lot of work. I look at the depth of quality and it is not quite there right now. Morgan developed a team with lots of all-rounders, quality spinners and a side with a deep batting order. I do not see the same quality in this England side. Brook’s challenge is to develop talented players into world-class level. You cannot win a World Cup without world-class players.
They have them in T20 but, in 50 overs, they are a long way short. The 50-over game is so much like Test cricket now and England’s approach has been a little simplistic. They have to embrace data, because it plays a big role in white-ball cricket, and not just think bowling rockets and trying to go harder every time is enough. There needs to be more guile and creativity with the bowling.
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The most important aspect is the captain’s relationship with the coach and that should be pretty strong. I am sure Brendon McCullum will help Brook develop his own style, but also be a good tactical sounding board. Some captains struggle to handle the media commitments but, every time I hear Brook speak, he is generally straightforward and not scared to say one or two things that he believes are the truth.
Packed schedule could pose a problem
Managing his diary will present a few issues, though. I look at that series in New Zealand before the Ashes and do not like it. It is easier to rest other players, less so the captain. I suspect he plays that series. This management group is so relaxed and laid-back, that they make sure players are managed well. I would just say to them, try not to be too relaxed. It is international sport, after all, and it is about winning.
Already Brook will be mulling over a few things. Where will he field? How will he speak to his bowlers? How much does he use Jos Buttler for advice? Is Phil Salt going to keep or even stay in the 50-over side? Do we need another spinner? If so, will it be Liam Dawson or is he a bit too old? Who is going to be our left-arm seamer? Do we bowl rockets or go for guys who are more skilful? How do England improve their fielding because right now they are not a well-oiled machine? These are all the one-percenters you have to deliver as captain.
I enjoyed doing the 50-over job before becoming Test captain. It is a little less pressurised and you do not have to manage the players as much as you do in the Test game. It is a good stepping stone, albeit an important job in itself, too.
Overall, this is the right move that Brook is captain and Stokes is not.
