Brook says he has ‘learned a lot’ from off-field issues

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Brook says he has ‘learned a lot’ from off-field issues

ByMatthew Henry

BBC Sport Journalist
  • Published

White-ball captain Harry Brook says he has “learned a lot” as a captain and a person – and wants to be the player England fans rely on.

It is almost a year since Brook, 27, was punched by a nightclub bouncer on the eve of a match against New Zealand in Wellington, which led to doubts over his future as skipper.

He has not made a Test hundred since, including failing to do so during last winter’s Ashes, but has been in excellent white-ball form and has overseen a resurgence in England’s 50-over and T20 sides.

“I’ve learnt a lot as a captain, I’ve learnt a lot as a person,” Brook, whose side return to action in a 50-over tri-series on Tuesday, told Press Association.

“I know it wasn’t an ideal situation to put myself in, but I feel like as a captain and a leader I’ve learnt 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 fascinating cricketers.

Despite being white-ball skipper and serving as Test vice-captain, he was overlooked for the red-ball job when Ben Stokes retired, with Joe Root preferred.

He averages a formidable 53.08 in Tests – the highest for England in almost 60 years – with 10 centuries, but often draws criticism for his aggressive, some say reckless, batting.

While he has failed to convert any of his seven fifties into centuries since the Ashes, he still averages 41.57 and has scored hundreds as captain in T20s and one-day internationals in that time.

“I enjoy the extra responsibility,” he 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.”

The debate around Brook was perhaps best summed up by Stokes telling the Yorkshireman he is talented enough to average 65 or 70.

“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,” Brook 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.”

His 50-over side play Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Tuesday (09:00 BST) in their first match of a tri-series that also includes Sri Lanka. The hosts beat Sri Lanka in the series opener on Sunday.

After struggling in the format since their dismal World Cup defence in 2023, England have won three ODI series in a row this year as they build towards next year’s World Cup.

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is injured for this series while fast bowler Jofra Archer has been rested. England resisted naming their team 24 hours early and will instead do so at the toss.

“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.”

There is full commentary of every match in the tri-series involving England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Test Match Special

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