England Player Willingly Announces To Replace Ben Stokes As England's Test Captain

Brook ready to become England's Test captain [Source: AFP]

On Sunday, the England Cricket team was dealt a huge blow when Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket. Stokes was England’s Test skipper, and his abrupt decision shocked the cricketing fraternity as the team now finds themselves in a tricky situation.

England lost a three-match Test series against New Zealand, 1-2, and with Stokes gone, the side now has to find a suitable captaincy replacement before the next series commences. One name that has circulated since Sunday has been that of Harry Brook, the red-ball vice-captain.

Brook was made Stokes’ understudy last year, and currently, he leads England’s white-ball squads as he emerges as the front-runner to replace the outgoing skipper. Even Ben Stokes has backed Brook to lead the Test team.

Brook receives 100 percent backing from Stokes to become England Test captain

There is no denying that Brook has become one of England’s best all-format players, and he has become Stokes’ favourite as well. After his retirement announcement that shocked almost everyone, the 35-year-old publicly backed Brook to become his successor in red-ball cricket.

"You're asked to be vice captain of the team for a certain reason. I was vice captain under Joe for a long time and it's a natural progression. If the captain's not there or unavailable, then he had to do that. So there's absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn't [do it].

"Only time will tell, but you don't ask someone to be vice captain if you don't think that they've got the skills and the ability to be able to captain the team when they need to. So if I was to be asked who I think should do it, I'm throwing my 100% support behind Harry Brook," Stokes said.

Brook accepts Test captaincy challenge, ready to replace Stokes

Interestingly, the 27-year-old is ready to step up and lead England in Test cricket, but he believes the decision remains with the England Cricket Board.

Also Read: How Ben Stokes Made England’s Limitations Work for Them

"I don't think you can turn down being an England Test captain.

"It would be an honour 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 well above me. I'd be happy to do it if I did get asked," Brook told BBC Sport.

It is interesting to note that while Brook is ready to lead the England Test side, the ECB is still contemplating appointing him.

ECB unsure about Brook's appointment as England Test captain

As Stokes’ deputy, Brook is the obvious choice to replace him and become the new Test captain; however, ECB is reportedly unsure about his appointment. His off-field disciplinary record has come under scrutiny, and moreover, the ECB doesn’t want to burden him with captaincy in all three formats.

A few months ago, England's Harry Brook apologised after being involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer. He was heavily fined by the ECB, and hence, the board is reluctant to give him the Test captaincy responsibility.

He has done well as England’s white-ball captain, and reportedly, if he becomes the red-ball skipper, Brook might relinquish captaincy in one of the formats (ODIs or T20Is).

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