Harry Brook would accept ‘honour’ of England Test captaincy
Harry Brook will accept the England Test captaincy and believes it is possible to lead the country in all three formats.
England are searching for a new Test captain following the retirement of Ben Stokes and Stokes has “100%” backed Brook to succeed him.
Brook told BBC Sport: “I don’t think you can turn down being England Test captain.
“It will be an honor and a privilege to be Test captain, the pinnacle of our sport.
“It’s not up to me to make that decision. It’s up to people much higher up than me. If I’m asked, I’d be happy to do that.”
Brook, 27, was named England’s white-ball captain last year and was promoted to vice-captain of Stokes’ Test side on last winter’s Ashes tour.
As Stokes’ deputy, he is a clear candidate to become the 83rd man to lead England in Test cricket; perhaps Stokes’ predecessor Joe Root is the only alternative.
But Brook already has a heavy workload as one of England’s multi-format players, and those demands are highlighted by the move from the Test series against New Zealand on Monday to the five-match T20 series against India, which starts at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.
Due to a busy schedule, Brook met all-rounder James Coles, who has been called up to the England national team for the first time, at training on Tuesday.
The last person to manage England in all three formats simultaneously was Andrew Strauss in 2009. Strauss’ spell at the helm of the T20 team lasted one match.
When asked if it was possible to captain three formats, Brook said: “I think it is possible. I’m not saying it will be easy but I definitely think it is possible.”
“Not playing franchise cricket means there are periods in my calendar where I won’t be playing cricket.
“I would focus on my fitness and prepare to play all three formats, which has been my dream since I could talk and walk. Whether I captain England in Test cricket or not, I would be happy to still be playing for England.”
England XI in the first T20-India match on Wednesday: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, Saqib Mahmood.
