In a significant transition for English cricket, 26-year-old Harry Brook has officially taken the reins as England’s white-ball captain, leading both the One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) sides. The move comes in the wake of Jos Buttler stepping down from the role following England’s disappointing early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy in March.
Brook, who has served as vice-captain over the past year and led the team during last year’s ODI series against Australia, will now begin his tenure in a leadership role as England prepares for three T20Is and three ODIs at home against the West Indies in May.
“It’s a real honour”
“It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain,” Brook said. “Ever since I was a kid playing at Burley in Wharfedale, I dreamt of this. Representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and now having the chance to lead—it means a huge amount to me.”
Brook’s appointment doesn’t come as a surprise. Since debuting in 2022, he has become a mainstay across all formats. In red-ball cricket, he currently ranks as the No. 2 Test batter in the world, just behind Joe Root, with a memorable career-high of 317 against Pakistan in Multan still fresh in fans’ minds.
His leadership qualities were already on display last September when he stepped in for Buttler in a tightly contested ODI series against Australia. Though England narrowly lost the series 3-2, Brook earned praise for his composure and tactical instincts. His previous experience captaining the England Under-19 side at the 2018 World Cup and Northern Superchargers in The Hundred also bolsters his credentials.
Focus on Country Over Club
His decision to withdraw from the 2024 Indian Premier League, citing the need to prioritize international duties, was seen by many as a hint at his growing leadership role.
“I want to thank my family and coaches who’ve been by my side the whole way,” Brook said. “Their support has made all the difference. There’s a lot of talent in English cricket, and I’m excited to work with the team to push forward and aim for trophies. Whether it’s a bilateral series or a World Cup, I’m ready to give it everything.”
Succession Plan Realized
Rob Key, managing director of England Men’s Cricket, acknowledged Brook had long been part of England’s future plans. “Harry’s been in our leadership pipeline for some time, even though this opportunity has come a bit sooner than we anticipated,” Key said. “He’s not just a brilliant player; he’s a sharp thinker with a clear vision for where he wants to take the team.”
While Ben Stokes’ name had surfaced in conversations about the ODI captaincy—especially given his experience and synergy with coach Brendon McCullum—his ongoing recovery from hamstring surgery and prior retirement from the format made Brook the natural and pragmatic choice.
Ready for the Challenge
Brook brings a solid track record to his new role. In 26 ODIs, he has scored 816 runs at an average of 34.00, including a match-winning century as stand-in captain against Australia. His T20I stats include 44 appearances and 1,108 runs at an average of 28.50, and he was a key figure in England’s T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2022.
Though still early in his international journey, Brook’s calm demeanor, cricketing intelligence, and hunger for success signal a new chapter for England’s white-ball teams. His leadership begins in earnest this May, and all eyes will be on how the next generation of English white-ball cricket unfolds under his captaincy.
“I’m excited to get going and give it everything I’ve got,” Brook said. “This is just the beginning.”
