Lead

Ben Stokes has thrown his backing behind Harry Brook to succeed him as England Test captain, but coach Brendon McCullum has stopped short of endorsing the Yorkshireman. Stokes announced his retirement this week during a 160-run loss to New Zealand in the third and deciding Test at Trent Bridge, ending a series that also saw him dropped for a disciplinary breach.

Coverage Comparison

Stokes's backing of Brook was reported by ABC Australia, which noted that Brook had served as Stokes's vice-captain in the Test series, which England lost 2-1. Brook was overlooked when Stokes was omitted from the team for the second Test for disciplinary reasons, with Joe Root leading the side instead. Root has spoken about his preference for focusing on batting rather than leading the team, making him an unlikely candidate after Stokes's mid-match retirement announcement.

Key Claims

  • Stokes backed Brook to succeed him, saying: "There is a reason why [Brook] was asked to be vice-captain of this team. I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time. It's a natural progression." He added: "There's absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn't be asked to do that. He's someone that is an incredible player, one of the more senior players in this group, a phenomenally talented player. With a bit more responsibility on his shoulders you don't know if that's going to improve him even more. If I was to be asked who should do it I would throw my 100 per cent support behind Harry Brook."
  • McCullum, who reiterated his own desire to carry on as coach despite England losing seven of their last nine Tests, said: "It's one of those things where we just need to take a bit of time to work out. We've got some good candidates and strong leaders in the side so we'll work through that and come up with what we think is the right option."
  • Brook, ranked number two in the world Test batting rankings, is an automatic selection in the side but has been criticised for indiscipline both on and off the pitch. The 27-year-old received a reprimand from the Cricket Regulator after an incident in New Zealand last winter.

Perspectives

Ben Stokes

Stokes expressed full support for Brook as his successor, citing his role as vice-captain and his talent. He said that giving Brook more responsibility could improve him further.

Brendon McCullum

McCullum stopped short of endorsing Brook, saying the team needs time to work out the right option and that there are several good candidates and strong leaders in the side.

Harry Brook

No direct comments from Brook were reported in the material provided.

Background

Earlier in the series, Stokes was dropped pending an investigation into an incident at a nightclub after the first Test. Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson went on a night out after England's win at Lord's in the first Test, breaking a midnight curfew set by the team after a humiliating Ashes series when players' professionalism was questioned. The two players were in a London nightclub when an England team security official was reportedly struck by a rugby player from English club Saracens.

The England and Wales Cricket Board said Stokes and Atkinson "breached specific contractual obligations" and were given a written warning, while the sport's independent oversight panel — the Cricket Regulator body — said after its investigation that there was "insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred." The pair were immediately recalled to an England team reeling from a 253-run loss to the [New Zealand].