It is no surprise this version of Brook has come immediately after he was overlooked as captain. He was seriously considered by managing director Rob Key and others at the England and Wales Cricket Board before ultimately being overlooked. I am sure he will have asked himself why that was the case and, after incidents
Root, England’s greatest batter and a veteran of 166 Tests, said he hoped his “natural persona” is suited to bringing a sense of calm to the men’s national team. Off-field issues dominated last winter’s tours, including an incident involving Harry Brook and a nightclub bouncer in Wellington and the team’s drinking during a mid-Ashes trip
Covid destroyed Root’s team, and there are other reasons why Root might also feel he didn’t get a fair shake first time around. His tenure as captain coincided with a prioritisation of white-ball cricket and, when he stood in for Stokes against New Zealand in June, he admitted to some envy at not getting the
After a rollercoaster four years under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, could England revert to a more conservative style of play under Root? Of all England’s Test captains since 2006, only teams led by Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen have lower run-rates and played fewer attacking shots. In Root’s 65 Tests in charge, England’s run-rate
Amid the Wellington fallout, Brook led England to important ODI and T20 series wins in Sri Lanka, as well as the semi-finals of the World Cup that followed. His own form was superb. In the maelstrom, he drew on an experience from three years earlier. In 2023, his only season in the pressure cooker of
Fleming has been appointed on a four-year deal that will mean he coaches England in the next two Ashes series, and Vaughan said managing director Rob Key has selected a “very experienced” option. Former England Test coach Andy Flower was initially linked with the role, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru and London Spirit coach ruled himself
