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England's Test captaincy race has become one of the biggest talking points after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket. Many believe Harry Brook is the favourite to become England's next Test captain. Amid the buzz, Harry Brook has opened up about a key decision that surprised many during the recent three-match Test series against New Zealand.
When Ben Stokes was unavailable for the second Test at The Oval, many expected the vice-captain Brook to lead the side against New Zealand. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) turned to the former captain and senior batter Joe Root to lead the team instead of the white-ball captain.
ECB picked Joe Root ahead of Harry Brook
The ECB was forced to make this call after Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were left out because of a disciplinary investigation following the nightclub incident in London. With Stokes unavailable, Joe Root took charge for the Test at The Oval.
He even smashed a brilliant century but could not lead the side to victory as New Zealand won the second Test by 253 runs at The Oval. Later, they also won the final Test to seal the series 2-1.
Even though Brook is already leading England's white-ball teams and is being seen as a strong candidate for the Test captaincy, he had no complaints about the ECB's decision.
Harry Brook backed ECB's decision and praises Joe Root
Before England’s white-ball series against India, Brook said that Root was the right choice because of his experience and everything he has done for England cricket over the years.
He believes that the former captain stepped up when the team needed him the most and handled the responsibility well. Amid this, Harry Brook reveals England's plan to stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Harry Brook said at the press conference, as quoted by Cricbuzz, “I think the decision that was made was the right one. I think making Rooty captain that week was definitely the right decision. He's always been there for the ECB; he's been a stalwart for English cricket. He's, in my opinion, the best batter to have ever played Test cricket. The ECB needed him that week as well, and he stepped up.”
ECB made the right decision: Brook on Root leading ENG vs NZ
Brook felt his role was to support the stand-in captain in every possible way and help the team perform well, and he fully respected the ECB's decision to hand the responsibility to Root.
He added, “And my job that week was just to try and help him as much as possible. There were lots of conversations – obviously we were at first and second slip, so we were always chatting about how we can have an effect on the game. But I definitely think that the ECB made the right decision.”
Later in the third and final Test, Ben Stokes shocked the cricket world by announcing his retirement from international cricket. His exit has now opened the door for Brook to take that role. Even Brook has already expressed his desire to lead England in Test cricket and said he is ready to captain the team across all three formats before the first T20I against India on July 1 in Durham.
