England national selector Marcus North has explained why the selectors chose experienced campaigner Joe Root to return as Test captain instead of handing the role to white-ball skipper Harry Brook following Ben Stokes’ departure from international cricket.
Root, 35, previously led England in Tests, while 27-year-old Brook currently captains the team’s ODI and T20I sides. The selectors were mindful of the demands of asking Brook to take charge across all three formats, according to North.
North said Brook’s leadership responsibilities in white-ball cricket, particularly with next year’s World Cup approaching, were a major consideration in the decision to bring Root back for the Test side.
“Harry Brook has obviously been a fantastic player for us across all three formats. He remains an incredibly important part of the team. I think his leadership in the white ball is maturing with every series,” North was quoted as saying by English media.
He pointed to England’s T20I side reaching the No. 1 ranking during the summer and said Brook’s focus, along with coach Brendan McCullum, remains on the white-ball teams and the upcoming World Cup.
“Doing all three formats is a huge ask for any captain,” North said, stressing that the selectors did not want to place excessive pressure on Brook at this stage of his leadership career.
However, North made it clear that Brook remains a potential future Test captain.
“I have no doubt that the time will come for Harry, but we’re very blessed that we’ve got someone like Joe, who’s so experienced and is going to do such a great job this time around with Harry and Brendan working in the white ball space,” he said.
Root first became England’s Test captain in 2017 and went on to lead the side in a record 64 Tests, winning 28 of them. He stepped down in April 2022 following England’s 10-wicket defeat to the West Indies.
His return gives England an experienced leader at a time when the team is undergoing a transition following Stokes’ exit from international cricket.