England men’s director of cricket Rob Key has explained his decision to appoint Joe Root as interim Test captain ahead of vice-captain Harry Brook following Ben Stokes’ dismissal for the second Test against New Zealand.
Stokes was dropped after a nightclub incident involving fast bowler Gus Atkinson, with the pair allegedly breaching team curfew in the early hours of Monday. The decision has forced a temporary leadership change within the team.
Despite Brook’s credentials as a leader in white-ball cricket, Key said the timing of Brook’s appointment to the Test team was not appropriate. Instead, he credited Root’s experience in leading the team through a difficult period.
“Don’t think it’s the right time for Harry Brook. I think he’s a great captain. He’s done a fantastic job in white-ball cricket. It feels like a huge amount to put on his plate at the moment,” Key told the ECB.
And Joe Root, every time England get into trouble, where they score 10 for 2, I can’t think of any player who has played more for his country in cricket than Joe Root. And I think it’s the right decision. It wasn’t the right time, it wasn’t the right time for Harry.
Brook’s previous off-field controversy, which saw him fined during a nightclub incident in New Zealand in 2025, was not cited as the primary reason for the decision.
Key insisted a number of factors were considered, including England’s upcoming white-ball series against India, where Brook is expected to lead the team in both T20Is and ODIs.
“There are various reasons for that. We are going to pick a white-ball team for the big series against India, T20 cricket and ODI series. So Harry, as has happened in the past, has a huge amount on his plate and he doesn’t want to be burdened, he has to deal with everything,” he said.
Meanwhile, both Stokes and Atkinson have been dropped from the squad for the second Test against New Zealand starting on June 17.
They have been replaced by Jofra Archer and Jordan Cox, who were recalled to the Test set-up as England reshuffled the squad.