England‘s search for a new white-ball captain has gained momentum following Jos Buttler’s resignation in the wake of a disappointing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The Three Lions endured a winless tournament, which compounded their struggles after failing to defend their ODI and T20 World Cup titles. Amid growing speculation about England’s next limited-overs leader, former World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan has put forward two potential candidates.
A short-term solution for stability: Eoin Morgan’s choice
Morgan believed that Test captain Ben Stokes, despite stepping away from ODI cricket after England’s 2023 World Cup campaign, could be a valuable transitional leader. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he suggested that Stokes’ leadership skills, experience, and ability to perform under pressure make him a logical choice, even if only in a temporary capacity.
“I think a bit of a left-field call would be to ask Ben Stokes to consider the role, not necessarily on a full-time basis,” Morgan said.
He elaborated on how England could structure Stokes’ involvement to accommodate his Test commitments while still benefiting from his leadership in major white-ball tournaments. “You would have to create an environment where Ben could slip in and out seamlessly in preparation for big tournaments. He could then sit on the backburner and focus on Test match cricket until those key events came up.” This approach, Morgan argued, would allow England to transition smoothly while grooming a long-term captain for the future.
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The long-term leader in the making for England
While Stokes could be a stopgap option, Morgan sees Harry Brook as the future face of England’s white-ball leadership. The 26-year-old displayed promising leadership traits when he captained England in a home series against Australia last year, impressing Morgan with his composure and tactical acumen. “If you highlight something that is in three years, four years, somebody like Harry Brook would do a magnificent job,” Morgan stated. Brook’s maturity and ability to handle pressure were particularly evident when England bounced back strongly after a defeat against Australia.
Morgan highlighted this as a crucial test of Brook’s leadership credentials. “The test is always when the team gets pushed back, and for me, they bounced back terrifically. They came back fighting, came back punching, and it was not reckless – it was clear, confident, and calculated. That is a really good sign,”
Morgan also praised Brook’s continuous growth as a player and leader, emphasizing that captaincy did not seem to burden him.
“We know Harry Brook as this incredibly talented player who continues to grow and improve every year, which is a joy to watch. The leadership role didn’t seem to weigh on him, and that’s a very positive sign for the future,” Morgan concluded.
