Revealed: Why England Snubbed Harry Brook For Test Captaincy Role

Brendon McCullum and Harry Brook [Source: AFP]

Just a day ago, the England and Wales Cricket Board named veteran Joe Root to lead the side for the second Test against New Zealand. 

Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been snubbed from the upcoming match due to disciplinary measures, and interestingly, Harry Brook, one of the most promising aspects of the Three White Lions, was in contention for the interim captaincy.

Although Brook, the T20I and ODI captain of England, was one of the favourites to be the Test side leader and be an all-format skipper for the side, the ECB’s decision to go with Root was explained a day later by ECB director Rob Key.

Joe Root’s Return And Ben Stokes Snub

Following a nightclub controversy after the first Test win against New Zealand, Ben Stokes was punished by the ECB alongside Gus Atkinson, which led to the long-time Test skipper being dropped for the 2nd Test.

The disciplinary action was taken later, but rumours of Stokes getting the axe were circulating for a while, which raised the question of the next skipper.

While Harry Brook and Ollie Pope were among their favourites, the ECB decided to go with experience, that is, Joe Root, a former England skipper and one of the most prolific players for the side in whites.

Also Read- Ben Stokes Dropped! ECB Name England Squad For 2nd Test Vs New Zealand

Why Was Harry Brook Not Given The England Test Captaincy?

Brook is the Test deputy of Stokes in red-ball cricket. An easy no-brainer decision for the ECB would have been to go with him. However, Rob Key shared that there were multiple reasons behind not making that ‘easy’ decision.

While Brook’s own disciplinary guilt over lying to save teammates back in January during a nightclub incident was taken into account, Key mentioned that his workload and leadership skills were also prime factors in deciding against him.

"I just don't feel that it is the right time. That's the decision we came to. The Test captaincy is a massive job, even on an interim basis, especially going into this next Test match and everything Harry would have to deal with - plus the fact Harry, at the moment, is getting his head around white-ball cricket as well as being one of the best Test batters in the world,” Key told the BBC.

No Bad Feelings For Brook

Key further revealed that Harry Brook shrugged off any bad feelings about being overlooked as the Test captain.

"We've spoken to Brook. He was absolutely fine. All he wants to do is play cricket for England and do the best he possibly can. He doesn't really care about much else, and he'll do whatever is best for the team, and he has no issue whatsoever with not being captain.

"He'll still be Joe's vice-captain. That partnership as batters, on and off the field, has been brilliant, and Joe has been a massive help to Harry at moving his game forward. I'd imagine he'll help him in this role as well - and vice versa," Key added.

Key Backs Joe Root As The Right Person For The Job

As Harry Brook will still serve as Joe Root’s deputy, Rob Key showed faith and promise in the ‘right man’ Root to do the job well in the absence of Stokes.

"It just didn't feel like that was the right time, for a number of different reasons. English cricket is incredibly fortunate to have Joe Root. English cricket has relied on him, not just as a batter.

"Every time you're 10 for 2, Joe Root is the man that gets England out of a hole, and he's doing that again for us. Yet again, Joe Root doesn't question anything when you ask him to do something,” Key added.

Out of Harry Brook and Joe Root, Rob declared the latter was a better candidate to replace Ben Stokes, both in terms of experience and leadership skills in Test whites.

"The fact is, you're looking at who can be the England Test captain. That is not an easy job… At this stage, there were two candidates who could have done it, and we've gone for Joe Root," Key concluded.

Nevertheless, England will meet New Zealand at the Kennington Oval, London, on June 17 for the second Home Test and will host them for the final match of the series on June 25 at Trent Bridge to conclude the three-match Test series.

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