England’s big bet: Harry Brook and the weight of white-ball captaincy
In a bold move, Harry Brook has been named England’s new white-ball captain for both the ODI and T20I formats. This follows Jos Buttler’s resignation after England’s early exit in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As England seeks a fresh start, Brook’s appointment offers hope. He’s among the best young talents in English cricket. But is he ready to lead a team under pressure and with high expectations?
Young talent, big responsibility
At just 26, Brook’s captaincy experience is limited. He previously led England’s Under-19 team at the 2018 World Cup and the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Yet these roles, while valuable, are not quite on the same scale as captaining the senior national team.
Graeme Smith captained South Africa at just 22, leading the team to its first-ever Test win against Australia in 2008. Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has tainted his leadership with issues after the ICC banned him for spot-fixing along with three others back in 2010.
This shows that Brook’s captaincy can go either way. Right now, Brook’s potential is undeniable, especially after he averaged 78 with the bat during the ODI match with Australia last summer. However, leadership skills don’t always grow as quickly as one’s playing form. Brook may still need time to adapt and mature in this new role.
The cons of an all-rounder: Pressure across formats
Brook’s captaincy also comes at a time when he is a key player in England’s Test team. Ranked second in the ICC world batting rankings in Test cricket, he is now tasked to balance all formats: ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. With a packed schedule for England—three home T20Is and three ODIs against West Indies and the Ashes series with Australia—the pressure on him will only increase.
The physical and mental toll of captaining across formats is no joke. Once, former Test captain Joe Root spoke about the burnout he faced during his time. He shared how the duty affected his personal health and family time, making him feel like a ‘zombie’.
The question now is whether Brook’s duty will affect his form. The role is demanding, and England must manage his workload to avoid the pitfalls of burnout.
Is Brook ready for the captain’s seat?
This new position marks a bold reset for England’s white-ball cricket. To succeed, the team must guard Brook from burnout and give him room to grow as a leader. They also need to safeguard his physical and mental energy to avoid impacting his performance on the field.
Moreover, Brook needs the backing of senior players like Root, Buttler, and Ben Stokes. Their mentorship will help him ease into the role and find his voice as a captain. If all goes well, the idea of Brook being the Test captain one day won’t seem as doubtful. England might just be shaping its next great captain.
