Ben Stokes believes Yorkshire batter Harry Brook should replace him as England Test captain, saying he is an “incredible player”.
Stokes stunned the cricket world on day four of the third Test with New Zealand at Trent Bridge when it was announced, while he was in the middle of a long bowling spell, that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the series with the Kiwis, who won 2-1.
The tourists wrapped up a 160-run victory on day five, meaning Stokes finished his stint as skipper of the red-ball team having lost seven of the last nine Test matches.
‘BazBall’ might live on under England coach Brendon McCullum, but he and Rob Key need to decide on who will lead the Test-match team, with Brook already skippering the white-ball team.
‘Great honour’ to captain
Brook has thrown his hat in the ring for the role, saying “it would be a great honour” to captain England at Test level.
And Durham all-rounder Stokes has backed the appointment of Brook, who was overlooked for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, where Joe Root led the team in the absence of Stokes, who was suspended alongside seamer Gus Atkinson.
Stokes told Sky Sports: “If I was asked who I think should do it, I would be throwing my 100 per cent support behind Harry Brook.
“There’s absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn’t be asked to do that.”
Brook an ‘incredible player’
Stokes added: “He’s an incredible player, one of the more senior players in this group – we all know he’s a phenomenally talented individual when it comes to his skill as a batter.
“If you lump a bit more responsibility on his shoulders with this team, we don’t know if that’s going to show any more improvement in the skills he’s already got. Only time will tell.
“But you don’t ask someone to be vice-captain if you don’t think they’ve got the skills or the ability to captain the team when they need to.”
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Sitting in pole position
Brook is 27 and appears to be the frontrunner as he is England’s Test vice-captain and white-ball skipper.
And he told Sky Sports he is ready to also lead the red-ball team if asked to step up.
Brook said: “It would be a great honour to captain England at Test level. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
“The decision isn’t up to me, but if it was offered to me I’d be happy to take it.
“I think it would be a tough job, but everything’s tough in cricket. It’s a hard sport.”
Committed to England cricket
Brook continued: “I’ve committed completely to England cricket. I’ve said I don’t want to play any franchise cricket barring the Hundred.
“Whatever I do, on and off the field, is to try and perform as well as I possibly can for England.
“Hence the reason I don’t play in the IPL and PSL and all the other franchise competitions.”
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England coach under pressure
McCullum is under pressure following recent results and a disastrous Ashes tour – but Brook has relished playing under the former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman.
He admitted: “I love working with Baz, he’s a great bloke and an unbelievable coach.
“Some of the things he has taught me throughout my career, giving us the opportunity to go out there and play in the style he and Stokesy wanted us to play, suited me to a tee to start with.
“It’s been about evolving as a player, taking some of those learnings from the past and acting on them in games.
“I like trying to be fearless and putting pressure back on the opposition.
“But the decision isn’t up to me.”
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