Harry Brook is the bookies' heavy favourite to take over from Jos Buttler as England's white-ball captain following England's disastrous loss to Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.
England's defeat in Lahore yesterday (February 26) means that they have been eliminated from the tournament just two games in. It's their third consecutive disappointing campaign in an ICC white-ball tournament under Buttler, who led them to the T20 World Cup title in 2022. Since then, they finished seventh in the 2023 50-over World Cup and put in a lacklustre performance in last year's T20 World Cup.
Former head coach Matthew Mott was axed by the ECB last summer, with Buttler keeping his position as captain under new head coach Brendon McCullum. However, Buttler conceded yesterday that his side's persistent run of losses means his captaincy is once again under threat, and that he will be considering his position in the wake of the Champions Trophy disaster. “I don’t want to say any emotional statements now, but I think for myself and the guys at the top, we should consider all possibilities,” Buttler said at the post-game presentation.
Sunil Gavaskar has mocked Harry Brook's dismissal against Afghanistan, referencing Brook's own comments about smog during England's previous series in India.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 27, 2025
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If Buttler does step down from the captaincy, current vice-captain Brook is the bookies' favourite to replace him. Brook is currently backed at odds of 1/2 by Betfair to take over the side's leadership. The second favourite is Liam Livingstone, who led the side in Buttler's absence in West Indies last year, backed by Betfair at odds of 5/1, while Ben Duckett and Phil Salt are next at 9/1.
Brook officially took over the vice-captaincy of the side in India ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, he led the side over the summer against Australia when Buttler was out with injury, in a series England lost 3-2. He has come under some criticism during the Champions Trophy and England's series in India both for his dismissals on the pitch and for comments in the media.
After he got out to a soft caught and bowled chance to Afghanistan, Sunil Gavaskar mocked comments Brook made in relation to smog obscuring England's ability to pick spinner Varun Chakravarthy in India last month. There have also been questions raised over his ability to play spin in the 50-over format.
Following their final group game in the Champions Trophy against South Africa on Saturday (March 1), England will next play 50-over cricket in a series against West Indies in May.
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