According to former England captain Michael Atherton, the team made the right call by not adding extra pressure on Ben Stokes.
Stokes was being considered for the captaincy in at least one white-ball format. But in the end, England chose not to go down that route. Instead, they handed over both the ODI and T20 captaincy to Harry Brook—a decision Atherton has called the right one.
After England’s early exit from the group stage of the last Champions Trophy, Jos Buttler stepped down from his role as limited-overs captain. Since then, the ECB had been on the lookout for fresh leadership in white-ball cricket.
While Brook was named T20 captain, Stokes—who currently leads the Test side—was also in the mix for the ODI job. But on Monday, the board announced that Brook would lead in both formats.
Brook’s official stint as captain will begin at the end of May when England take on the West Indies in three ODIs and three T20Is.
The 26-year-old has served as England’s white-ball vice-captain for the past year and had captained the side in Buttler’s absence during a five-match ODI series against Australia last September. Although England lost the series 3–2, Brook’s leadership left a positive impression.
Stokes, meanwhile, has led England in only three ODIs. But due to his recurring injury issues, he’s not been a regular presence in limited-overs cricket. His international commitments lately have been focused solely on Tests. After the 2023 World Cup, he hasn’t played another ODI, and since scoring a match-winning half-century in the 2022 T20 World Cup final, he hasn’t featured in that format either.
With a packed Test calendar ahead—including a five-match home series against India in June and July, and another five-match Ashes series in Australia at the end of the year—Stokes already has a full plate.
Taking on white-ball captaincy would only increase his workload, something Atherton, who captained England in 50 Tests, feels should be avoided. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said England made the right call.
“Even though the conversation was had, they (ECB) made the correct decision not to appoint Stokes,” Atherton said. “I think it was the right call not to place an extra burden on him. Right now, he has a clear vision with the Test team, and at 33, his body is starting to wear down a bit.”
“Due to a hamstring injury, he’s had to spend long periods away from the game over the past two or three years. So giving him additional responsibility wouldn’t have been the right move, in my view.”
