It’s Happening… Harry Brook Takes Charge of England after Buttler Steps Down

If you’ve been following English cricket even a bit, you’ll know things haven’t exactly gone to plan lately. After a bit of a struggle at the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, England were knocked out earlier than expected, and that’s led to a big shake-up. The big news? Harry Brook has just been named the new captain for both ODI and T20 cricket.

We’re delighted with this news as Harry Brook is an Official Brand Ambassador for Yorkshire.com, since March 2023.

For fans wondering what this means, or why it’s such a big deal—especially if you’re more of a casual viewer—don’t worry, we’ve got you. Let’s break it down.

A new face at the top: why Brook?

So, who exactly is Harry Brook and why has he landed this job? He’s 26, from Yorkshire, and he’s been seriously impressing both fans and coaches since he stepped into England’s white-ball teams back in January 2022.

Even though he’s most famous right now for smashing it in Test cricket (he’s currently ranked number two in the world, by the way), Brook’s no stranger to the shorter formats. He’s played 26 ODIs and 44 T20Is already—so he’s not exactly fresh off the bench.

And this isn’t a total left-field move either. Brook’s been vice-captain for the past year, and even stood in for Jos Buttler during an ODI series against Australia last September. Basically, he’s been next in line for a while now.

Experience beyond his years

When you look at Brook’s journey, you can see this isn’t just about recent form. This guy has been a leader for ages. Back in 2018, he captained England’s Under-19 squad at the World Cup in New Zealand. That kind of experience matters, even if it feels like forever ago.

And it’s not just the experience—Brook’s got stats to back him up too:

• ODIs: 816 runs, average of 34.00, with a top score of 110
• T20Is: Highest score of 81, and was part of the T20 World Cup winning squad in 2022

Not too shabby, right?

Why now?

So, why has this happened now? Well, it’s mostly down to Jos Buttler stepping aside after England’s disappointing run in the Champions Trophy. He’s been in the role for a while, but the team just didn’t deliver this time round. A fresh start made sense—and Brook, being both young and already well-liked in the dressing room, ticked the right boxes.

Rob Key, the guy in charge of England Men’s Cricket, put it like this:

“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.”

What Brook had to say about it

Brook’s reaction was exactly what you’d want to hear—humble, grateful, but also totally buzzing for what’s next.

“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 also gave a heartfelt shoutout to his family and coaches, saying their support made the difference.

“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.”

What happens next?

The first big test for Brook’s leadership comes pretty soon. England’s white-ball campaign kicks off at the end of May 2025, with a home series against the West Indies. It’ll be:

• 3 Metro Bank ODIs
• 3 Vitality IT20s

So not long to wait before we see how he handles the pressure with the captain’s armband properly on.

Quick recap: why this matters

Here’s why everyone’s talking about this:

• Brook’s young, talented, and already respected inside the team.
• He’s been part of long-term planning to lead the white-ball side.
• This change could be the spark England needs to bounce back after a rough patch.

And if you’re wondering whether Brook’s got fans outside the dressing room? He’ll be doing a Q&A on Tuesday 8 April, taking questions from fans—so it’s a good time to ask him anything, from tactics to which cricketer he’d have dinner with.

Brook’s key stats (so far)

It’s early days for Brook as captain, but if his career so far is anything to go by, this could be the start of something pretty special for England’s white-ball cricket.