Rob Key explains why it was ‘too soon’ for Harry Brook to become England Test captain

Rob Key, the ECB‘s managing director of men’s cricket, believes it was “too soon” to install Harry Brook as England Test captain after overlooking the Yorkshireman in favour of Joe Root.

Root’s return as full-time skipper was confirmed on Thursday alongside the appointment of Stephen Fleming as England’s new head coach following the retirement of Ben Stokes and departure of Brendon McCullum.

Brook, who leads England in white-ball cricket, was elevated to the vice-captaincy ahead of last year’s Ashes and has since served as Stokes’ deputy.

He was not promoted, though, when Stokes missed the second Test against New Zealand earlier in the summer, and has again missed out on the role despite expressing an interest.

Key explained that he and Fleming had discussed the captaincy at length before the new coach’s appointment, with the pair agreeing that Root – who has already led England in a record 65 Tests – was the right man for the job at this moment.

“In an ideal world, what you want is the coach has a say in a captain,” Key explained. “Coach first, then you work out the captain – I explained that to anyone that had a chance of becoming England captain.

“During the process, you are obviously speaking to different coaches and [the captaincy] is one of the questions you start asking, getting a feel for where they are at. Stephen and I spoke a lot about who we felt the best person was.

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Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease for England (PA Wire)

“It’s just too soon for Harry Brook. This feels the right time for Joe Root. He has the chance to work with what I believe is the best coach that will complement him as well. Those two will be a great complementary pairing to take England forward. He is our best ever batter, and now has the chance to captain the side without any of the stuff he had to deal with last time. I’m just so glad he gets that chance.”

Root admitted that he had developed an “unhealthy relationship” with the role during his previous stint as skipper, which ended with a run of one win in 17 Tests during a period blighted by the Covid pandemic.

The 35-year-old enjoyed, though, the chance to work with McCullum during that New Zealand Test, and now gets the chance to forge a new relationship with another Kiwi in Fleming – highly regarded for his leadership during his playing career.

Brook, though, remains a long-term candidate for the role and Key is certain that his time will come.

“I think he is still developing as a player and a person, really,” the former Kent and England batter said of Brook. “The Test match job is the biggest job in cricket in England. I think that it is perfect now with Joe where he can take this ship forward as the most senior player by a long way, and Harry can continue on the project he has done in the white-ball job, and continue learning to become an outstanding leader of a cricket team.

“You’ve got the 2027 World Cup, all of those things. At some stage, Harry Brook will be an outstanding Test captain of England cricket. It just doesn’t feel the time was right now.”