England captain Harry Brook to skip franchise leagues for ‘near future’

Brook takes charge after a poor run for England in white-ball cricket. They held both the T20 and 50-over world titles in 2022 but have since disappointed in their defence of each crown.

They also exited the Champions Trophy without winning a match, which resulted in Buttler’s resignation.

Brook said he expected Buttler to play a key role in the team, and that batter Joe Root and Test captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes would also be considered for selection.

Brook said he has held conversations about appointing a vice-captain but that a decision would be announced closer to the West Indies series, which begins on 29 May.

“I want someone who can lead from the front on and off the field – someone who would be playing most of the time, almost every game,” Brook said.

England have lost 10 of their 11 white-ball matches this year.

Brook said England “were not good enough”, and the mantra he set out for his team was not significantly different to the principles held by coach Brendon McCullum.

“I want us to go out there and be very competitive, very aggressive and be 100% committed to what we’re trying to achieve,” Brook said.

“I want players who naturally put the best bowlers under pressure from their best ball to their worst ball, to be able to manipulate the field at different stages of the game and be able to score big runs, especially in one-day cricket.

“As a bowler, I want them to work towards modes of dismissals, be able to get every batter out in the world, have a plan to each batter and then be able to have the skills to bowl to any field to any plan at any time in the game.”