England name new ODI and T20 captain as Ben Stokes decision made

Harry Brook has been named England's new T20 and One Day International captain, replacing Jos Buttler. Test skipper was also in the running to take over from Buttler.

But ECB bosses have elected to allow the 33-year-old to focus on Tests ahead of a huge year in which he will lead his side in the Ashes down under. Buttler stepped down following a disastrous campaign in the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Test team head coach Brendon McCullum added the white-ball sides to his portfolio ahead of that tournament. Brook has also been a key player at Test level and will now be handed the chance to lead the T20 and ODI sides out of their current rut.

The Yorkshire batter has spent the past year as vice-captain in both ODI and IT20 formats. He also led the team in the ODI series against last September in Buttler’s absence, as well as being a former Young Lions captain, skippering England at the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Brook is looking forward to taking on the responsibility, with England next in white-ball action at the end of May. He paid tribute to his family and coaches for helping him realise his dream.

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"It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain. Ever since I was a kid playing 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 said.

"I want to thank my family and coaches who’ve supported me every step of the way. Their belief in me has made all the difference and I wouldn’t be in this position without them.

"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. I’m excited to get going and give it everything I’ve got.”

While Stokes was thought to be in the running, the managing director of men's cricket for the ECB, Rob Key, insisted Brook's elevation was the plan all along. He hailed the 26-year-old for his vision and backed him to lead the white-ball team to trophy success.

"I’m delighted that Harry Brook has accepted the role as England’s white-ball captain across both formats. He’s been part of our succession planning for some time, albeit this opportunity has come slightly earlier than expected," he said.

"Harry is not only an outstanding cricketer, but also has an excellent cricketing brain and a clear vision for both teams that will help drive us towards winning more series, World Cups and major global tournaments."

Brook's first series in charge will be three ODIs and three T20s against West Indies, which begin on 29 May. After that, England do not play again in white-ball cricket until two series in September, first against South Africa and then against Ireland.

There will also be a white-ball tour to New Zealand in early November before the Ashes begins later that month. His major tournament as skipper will be the T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026.

England's white-ball sides have largely struggled since winning the 2022 T20 World Cup. They won just three of their nine matches at the following year's ODI World Cup and are on a six-match losing run in that format.

They did reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last year but were well beaten by India and had limped through the earlier rounds. Their exit from the Champions Trophy after just three games led to Buttler's resignation at the end of February.