England white-ball captain Harry Brook has opened up about his potential future as Test captain following the shocking news that Ben Stokes has retired from Test cricket.

Harry Brook, who recently took over the white-ball captaincy after Jos Buttler stood down as skipper following England’s dismal showing at the ICC Champions Trophy, has also been the second-in-command for the Test side. With a new Ashes series looming, Brook has revealed that he would be delighted to take on the role of England’s Test captaincy if the opportunity arose.

“Jonny (Bailey) and I have had chats about how the team can continue to develop and grow going forward. We’ve always said the lads need to earn their place in this group,” Brook said.

Harry Brook backs Joe Root and reaffirms commitment to England

Speaking ahead of England’s T20I series against India, Brook said that captaining the Test team would be the best honor of his career, but the final decision would be up to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

“It would be a great honor and a privilege to captain England in the longest format.

Playing Tests is the best achievement of my career, and it is something I have aspired to do since I was young. It is not my decision, but if they ask me, then I will be honored to accept the role,” Brook said.

Although Brook has been named the second-in-command for England’s Test matches, he was not considered for the post when Ben Stokes missed the second Test against New Zealand due to violating the team’s curfew. The captaincy position was offered to an experienced England batsman, Joe Root, by the ECB.

“I think the decision that was made was the right one. Rooty has always been there for England and the ECB.

He is, in my opinion, the best Test batter that England has ever produced. They needed him that week, and he did fantastically. My job was to support him as much as I could,” Brook said.

Furthermore, Brook reiterated that representing England continues to be his game’s ultimate goal. The batter revealed that he had turned down several franchise competitions, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), which resulted in him being banned from the lucrative tournament for two years, to focus on limited-overs international cricket.

“I have committed myself to playing for England, and apart from The Hundred, I do not want to play any other franchise competitions.

Everything I do is for England, and that is why I cannot play in the IPL, PSL, and other tournaments,” Brook added.

The 26-year-old said that his sole objective is to ensure that he remains fit and available for England, either as a leader or a squad member.
England will host India for a five-match T20I series starting on July 1 at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, their first-ever T20I fixtures after losing the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals against their arch-rivals, India.