Ben Stokes has unequivocally endorsed Harry Brook as his successor for the England Test captaincy, insisting it would be a “natural progression” for his deputy.
The declaration came just hours after Stokes’ final international appearance, which saw England fall to a 160-run defeat against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, concluding a 2-1 series loss.
With no red-ball cricket scheduled for another seven weeks, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has time to deliberate, though a decision is anticipated sooner. The field of potential successors appears narrow, primarily featuring two realistic candidates: a return for Stokes’ predecessor, Joe Root, or a promotion for vice-captain Harry Brook, who already leads England’s limited-overs teams.
Root previously stepped in at the Kia Oval earlier this month when Stokes was stood down amid a disciplinary investigation into a nightclub incident. Brook, too, has faced scrutiny, having been involved in a late-night altercation with a bouncer at a nightclub last year in New Zealand.
This history had raised concerns about his suitability to lead a team that has recently faced criticism regarding its relationship with alcohol.
Despite these past concerns, Stokes made it clear he fully supports Brook’s appointment, urging the ECB to elevate his deputy. “If I was to be asked who I think should do it, I would be throwing my 100 per cent support behind Harry Brook,” he stated.
“There’s a reason he was asked to be vice-captain of this team. I know with all the controversy over the last couple of weeks some decisions were made but they were decisions I was not part of making.”
He continued: “You are asked to be vice-captain for a reason and I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time. It’s the natural progression: if the captain is not there, you step up. You don’t ask someone to be vice-captain if you don’t think he’s got the skills and ability to captain the team. There is absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn’t be asked to do that.”
Stokes offered a more reserved assessment when discussing head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key, the architects of the ‘Bazball’ era now drawing to a close. Following seven defeats in the last nine Tests and a rare home series loss, both men are under pressure to improve results and minimise off-field controversies.
Asked about their future, Stokes reflected: “What me, Brendon and Rob have managed to do over four and a half years, I’m not going to lie, it’s been an interesting ride. We’ve had incredible highs and some pretty low lows as well.
“It’s always worked and connected pretty well in terms of what we’ve wanted to achieve. It doesn’t always work out the way you want it to work out. I’m done now, I don’t have to take those kind of decisions and be involved in all that stuff. One of the nice feelings of the situation I’m in now is that I don’t have to worry about that stuff.”
Stokes has a history of returning from international retirement, notably ending his ODI career only to feature in the 2023 World Cup, and persuading Moeen Ali to reverse his Test retirement for an Ashes series. However, he firmly dismissed speculation that he might be tempted back for next summer’s Ashes.
“I’m done,” he declared. “I’ve had a few questions asking whether I’ll be able to sit on my sofa watching next year. I know it’s the Ashes but I’ll probably be watching it in a hospitality box somewhere.”
