Brook says off‑field challenges have taught him a lot
Harry Brook, England’s white‑ball captain, says the difficulties he has faced off the field have helped him grow both as a leader and as a person, and he wants to become the player the nation can count on. Almost a year ago, the 27‑year‑old was struck by a nightclub bouncer on the night before a match in Wellington against New Zealand, an incident that sparked questions about his future as captain.
Since then, Brook has not reached a Test hundred, missing out during last winter’s Ashes, but his form in limited‑overs cricket has been strong and he has guided a revival in England’s 50‑over and T20 sides. “I’ve learned a lot as a captain, I’ve learned a lot as a person,” he told the Press Association ahead of a 50‑over tri‑series that begins on Tuesday. “I know it wasn’t an ideal situation to put myself in, but I feel like as a captain and a leader I’ve learned a lot. Responsibilities and leadership aren’t just on the field, they’re more so off the field as well and actions speak louder than words.”
Brook remains one of England’s most intriguing cricketers. Although he serves as white‑ball captain and Test vice‑captain, he was passed over for the full‑time Test role after Ben Stokes retired, with Joe Root chosen instead. He holds a Test average of 53.08, the highest for an England player in almost six decades, and has compiled ten centuries, though his aggressive style sometimes draws criticism. While he has not turned any of his seven fifties into hundreds since the Ashes, he still averages 41.57 in limited‑overs cricket and has recorded centuries as captain in both T20s and ODIs during this period.
“I enjoy the extra responsibility,” Brook said. “I like the extra little bit of added pressure. I’m not going to go out there and score runs every time I bat but I want to be the man that is in that match‑winning situation who can get us over the line. I know there have been a few innings where I haven’t managed to do that but hopefully I’ve turned that corner and I can really be the man England fans and the team rely on.”
Former England all‑rounder Ben Stokes once suggested Brook has the talent to average 65 or 70. Brook replied that he is less concerned with raw numbers. “Personally I’m not that bothered about the stats, I’ve always said I think there should be a match‑winning column in your stats – that’s not there,” he said. “I write stuff down and I try and judge myself on whether I’ve had a match‑winning performance or match‑winning impact in that specific game and I try and tally it up at the end of the year and see how well I’ve done.”
England’s 50‑over side opens the tri‑series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Tuesday at 09:00 BST, following Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka in the series opener on Sunday. After a poor showing in the 2023 World Cup defence, England have now won three consecutive ODI series as they prepare for next year’s World Cup. Wicket‑keeper Jos Buttler is unavailable for the series, and fast bowler Jofra Archer is being rested. England delayed naming their XI until the toss, opting for flexibility.
“In the last six to eight months we’re certainly trending in the right direction as a squad,” Brook said. “We’re really building towards the make‑up of the side that we want. Me and Baz [head coach Brendon McCullum] feel like we’ve got a squad where if someone does go down five minutes before the toss, we’re in a position where someone else can come in and fill that role perfectly well.”