England will begin a new chapter in Test cricket following the retirement of long-time captain Ben Stokes, who ended his international career on the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand. England white-ball captain due to leadership vacancy Harry Brooke Stokes has emerged as a successful front-runner.While England’s current focus shifts to the white-ball series against India, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs, starting with the first T20I today, Brooke spoke about the possibility of becoming England’s next Test captain at the pre-match press conference.The 27-year-old admitted that leading England over the longest fixture period would be the biggest honor of his career.“Listen, it would be an honor to captain England at the highest level we play and I think that’s the pinnacle. Playing Test cricket is the greatest thing I have ever done in my life, it is my dream and something I have wanted to do since I could talk. Look, it’s not my decision, but if someone offered me the opportunity, I would love to take it,” Brook said. Despite being widely regarded as Ben Stokes’ deputy, Brooke backed the ECB’s decision to hand the captaincy to Joe Root for the second Test against New Zealand after Stokes retired and insisted it was the right decision.“I think the right decision was taken. Giving Rooty the captaincy last week was absolutely the right decision. He has been playing for the ECB. He has been a strong supporter of English cricket. In my opinion, he is the best batsman in Test cricket. The ECB needed him that week too and he stepped up,” he added. “My job that week was just to help him as much as possible. A lot of conversations: obviously we were on first and second downs, so we were always talking about how to have an impact on the game. But I definitely think the ECB made the right decision,” Brook said.
British India Tour
| match | date | site | Time (standard time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 T20I | July 1, 2026 | Chester-le-Street Riverside Stadium | 10:00 pm |
| Second T20I | July 4, 2026 | Manchester Old Trafford Cricket Ground | 7:00 pm |
| 3rd T20I | July 7, 2026 | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | 10:00 pm |
| No. 4 T20I | July 9, 2026 | Bristol County Stadium | 10:00 pm |
| No. 5 T20I | July 11, 2026 | Southampton Rose Bowl | 7:00 pm |
| First foreign direct investment | July 14, 2026 | Edgbaston, Birmingham | 5:30 pm |
| The second foreign direct investment | July 16, 2026 | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | 5:30 pm |
| The third overseas investment | July 19, 2026 | London Lords Cricket Ground | 3:30 pm |
