England have confirmed that Joe Root, not Harry Brook, will lead the Test side into a new era, with the 27-year-old Brook instead expected to continue developing his game during a three-match series against Pakistan. According to the Independent, Root has been appointed as Ben Stokes's successor, ending speculation that Brook might be handed the job at this stage of his career. Brook himself has publicly backed the decision, telling Sky Sports that handing the captaincy to Root was the correct call.
Even from the other side of the world, the shadow of England's so-called Bazball era has followed the squad as they prepare for the Pakistan series. It resurfaced during discussion of events in Darwin, where Bangladesh's touring side, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, dismantled their hosts across four days of largely patient, accumulative batting. That result was no accident — a methodical total in excess of 400 runs, built over 138 overs, drew comparisons to the aggressive approach England had deployed against Australia's ageing lineup the previous winter, and to what many observers now argue was a missed opportunity.
Why did England overlook Brook for the captaincy?
Rob Key, England's managing director, said publicly that the vacancy had arisen too soon for Brook to take on, suggesting the batter still needs time to mature into the role.
too soon
Key's comments hinted that leading the side across three formats might have been an unreasonable burden for Brook at this stage, or that dividing white-ball and red-ball captaincy duties under separate coaching setups would have been unnecessarily complicated. Left unspoken in much of the commentary was the incident in Wellington the previous November, when Brook's conduct the night before captaining a one-day international — reportedly involving hazy pale ales — set off a chain of events that ultimately contributed to the leadership change.
Whatever lesson Brook takes from that episode, the more pressing question is whether his batting approach itself needs adjusting. Driving on the up on an unfamiliar pitch in Perth was widely seen as an unwise choice, as was attempting to attack Mitchell Starc under lights during his first match with the pink ball. His most recent Ashes series was underwhelming by his own high standards, and it has now been roughly a year since he last scored a Test century — a stretch complicated in part by wicketkeepers Alex Carey and Tom Blundell standing up to the stumps against the quicks.
What do Brook's numbers actually show?
Despite the recent struggles, Brook's overall Test record remains extraordinary. Across 38 Tests, he averages 53 with the bat, has struck ten centuries, and currently sits second in the world Test batting rankings, behind only Australia's Travis Head.
Data from CricViz indicates that Brook attempts to hit 44% of the deliveries he faces to or over the boundary rope — a rate matched by no one in the format aside from Head. He scores off 65% of the balls bowled to him, defending or leaving the remainder, compared with an average split among top-seven batters since his 2022 debut of 52% scoring to 48% defending or leaving.
It would be easy to assume such numbers are the product of flat, docile pitches, and it is true that Brook has punished bowlers in favourable batting conditions — Pakistan have suffered four Brook centuries on their own soil, including a career-best score of 317. But, much like Head, he has also proven capable of dominating when conditions favour the bowlers, including a rapid innings compiled from just 91 balls on a chaotic opening day when 15 wickets fell in the match.
Stokes reportedly told Brook directly, after the conclusion of the Ashes series, that he had the talent to average considerably higher than his current figures.
65, even 70
The suggestion is that Brook, in common with many contemporary batters equipped with a full range of attacking shots, has yet to fully master the judgement of when and where to use them. Former South Africa batter AB de Villiers, whose own hand-eye coordination was often compared to Brook's, framed the issue as one of risk assessment — recognising when the odds are against you and being willing to wait, whether for five balls or an hour, until conditions shift back in your favour.
Definitely don't lose the aggressive nature of your batting or the creative side. Just earn the right.
Brook has acknowledged this tension himself, admitting frustration at some of his dismissals while insisting his priority remains being a matchwinner for England.
I have the ability to hit it everywhere, I just have to figure it out quicker in games.
What else was decided for England's squads this summer?
Separately, Charlie Dean has been named captain of England's women's team for next month's three one-day internationals against Ireland, in the absence of regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Dean previously stood in as captain during white-ball series against New Zealand and India this summer, and again when Sciver-Brunt was injured during the group stage of the T20 World Cup.
Sciver-Brunt remains focused on managing her fitness and recovery, as does Danni Wyatt-Hodge, meaning both will miss the Ireland series. They will be absent alongside senior players Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell and Amy Jones.
The squad named to face Ireland is: C Dean (captain), M Bouchier, A Capsey, K Chathli, T Corteen-Coleman, S Dunkley, L Filer, D Gibson, J Grewcock, F Kemp, R MacDonald-Gay, C Pavely, G Potts, M Villiers, I Wong.
What happens next for England's Test side?
England's three-Test home series against Pakistan is scheduled to begin on 19 August 2026 at Headingley in Leeds, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board. The series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship, as reported by LatestLY.
The second Test follows from 27 to 31 August 2026 at Lord's in London, per Sky Sports, before the series concludes with the third Test from 9 to 13 September 2026 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, according to Wisden. Stephen Fleming has been appointed as England's new head coach for the series, as noted by Wisden.
Brook is expected to continue in his role as vice-captain of the Test side while retaining leadership of England's white-ball teams, according to background information compiled by Wikipedia. Whether the change in leadership, combined with a shift back toward more measured batting under Root and Fleming, helps or hinders Brook's development may become clearer once the Pakistan series is under way.
Key Facts
- Joe Root has been appointed England Test captain, succeeding Ben Stokes, with Rob Key saying the role came "too soon" for Harry Brook.
- Brook averages 53 across 38 Tests with ten centuries, including a career-best 317 against Pakistan, and sits second in the world Test batting rankings.
- England's three-Test series against Pakistan begins 19 August 2026 at Headingley, continues at Lord's from 27-31 August, and concludes at Edgbaston from 9-13 September.
- Stephen Fleming has been named England's new head coach for the series.
- Charlie Dean will captain England's women's team against Ireland next month in the absence of Nat Sciver-Brunt.
