At his team’s media unit, he praises Harry Brook as the new white-ball captain, where team chief Rob Key speaks of his “excellent cricket brain”.
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Monday that Brook would captain both the one-day international and T20 sides.
The 26-year-old Yorkshire batsman was the frontrunner to replace Jos Buttler, who stepped down in December, with England’s dismal Champions Trophy run in Pakistan ending without reaching the semifinals.
Buttler presided over a failure to defend either their T20 or 50-over World Cup titles.
Brook was already Buttler’s deputy and filled in as skipper during an ODI series against Australia in September.
Brook is also a first-choice pick in all formats — unlike a few other potential candidates.
That had raised concerns that it might hold back Brook’s development as a Test batsman should he be handed the white-ball captaincy.
Last month during a press conference at Lord’s, England director of men’s cricket Key even floated the possibility of Test skipper Ben Stokes taking over as captain in the shorter formats as well.
But the 33-year-old all-rounder is presently in the process of rehabilitating from a second serious tear of his hamstring in the space of half a year and he must now be free-mind to focus purely on preparing for forthcoming red-ball series, against India at home and then in Australia.
Stokes was among the first to publicly support Brook’s appointment, with the England red-ball skipper tweeting: “Yes Brooky lad” above a story announcing the England rising star’s new role.
Brook has made 26 ODIs for England, scoring 816 runs at an average of 34.00 with a top score of 110. He has played 44 times in T20s and achieved a high score of 81
He was also part of the England team that won the T20 World Cup in 2022.
“To be named England’s white-ball captain is a real honour,” Brook said.
“From my early days playing cricket down in Burley-in-Wharfedale as a kid, I dreamed of representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and one day leading the team if I got that opportunity.” It means a lot to me that I’m now getting that opportunity.’
He continued: “There’s so much talent in this country, and I’m excited to get started and to move us forward and working towards winning series, World Cups and major events.”
Key said: “I am delighted Harry Brook has accepted the role of England’s white-ball captain across both formats. He has been part of our succession planning for a period of time, however, this opportunity has come a little sooner than we had anticipated.”
“Not only is Harry a top-class cricketer, he has a very good cricketing brain and well-defined plans for both teams that we believe will drive us towards winning more series, World Cups and major global tournaments.
Brook officially starts his tenure as full-time white-ball captain in an ODI series against West Indies, which opens at Edgbaston on May 29. This will be followed by a three-match T20 series.