Harry Brook appointed England’s white-ball captain

Brook, the wunderkind who became an all-format regular, was named deputy of both the ODI and T20I sides last year and even led in Buttler’s absence during the home ODIs against Australia in 2024. The think-tank had to pick between two options – elevating Brook to full-time leadership or getting Test skipper Ben Stokes to rejoin forces with Brendon McCullum in the white-ball domain too. They opted for the former.

“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,” said Rob Key, ECB’s Director of Cricket.

“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.”

England are staring at an overhaul after a nightmarish last few months in coloured clothing, including at the last three ICC events. Amid the nosedive, ECB got McCullum to take over the white-ball sides starting 2025 in addition to his Test match responsibilities. However, his partnership with Buttler didn’t prove to be the magic wand it was supposed to be as England lost 10 of their 11 white-ball games since the turn of the year.

Brook, who made his white-ball debut in January 2022, is regarded as one of the best young batters in the modern game. While his Test numbers are nothing short of phenomenal, he has also earned 26 caps for England in ODIs, scoring 816 runs at an average of 34.00, with a top score of 110. In T20Is, he has earned 44 caps and a highest score of 81 and was a member of the outfit that won the T20 World Cup in 2022.

A former Young Lions captain, Brook also skippered England at the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. His first assignment as full-time England captain will be the home series (three ODIs, three T20Is) against West Indies in late May.