In a bold and strategic move, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday (April 7) appointed Harry Brook as the new captain of England’s white-ball teams, replacing Jos Buttler. The decision comes in the wake of England’s disappointing performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they crashed out in the group stage without a single win.
Jos Buttler, who had been at the helm since 2021, stepped down after England’s early Champions Trophy exit, marking the end of his tenure as the ODI and T20I captain. The leadership baton now passes to the young and dynamic Brook, who will lead England in both formats moving forward.
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Brook’s Leadership Journey
Brook’s leadership journey began back in 2018 when he captained the England U19 team in the ICC U19 World Cup. More recently, he led the senior side in a five-match ODI series against Australia in 2024, winning two games and losing three. While his captaincy experience at the senior level remains limited, his talent and leadership qualities have clearly impressed the ECB selectors.
Reacting to the news, Brook expressed his gratitude and excitement:
“It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain. Ever since I was a kid playing cricket at Burley in Wharfedale, I dreamed of representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and maybe one day leading the team. To now be given that chance means a great deal to me.”
He further added:
“There’s so much talent in this country, and I’m looking forward to getting started, moving us forward, and working towards winning series, World Cups and major events.”
A New Era for England?
At just 26, Brook represents a fresh start for England’s white-ball cricket. While his red-ball prowess is well-known, he still has room to grow in the shorter formats. In 26 ODIs, Brook averages 34, and in 44 T20Is, he boasts an impressive strike rate of 146.15 — numbers that are solid but leave potential for improvement.
Brook was part of the victorious 2022 T20 World Cup squad, and the ECB believes he can be the face of England’s new white-ball era.
As England turns a new page, all eyes will be on Brook to see if he can inspire a resurgence and lead the team back to the top in limited-overs cricket.
