Ben Stokes has thrown his weight behind Harry Brook for the England Test captaincy, and it's no surprise why - the youngster's got the goods, and Stokes knows it. Speaking after his final match, Stokes laid out his stall with characteristic conviction: "There’s a reason he was asked to be vice-captain of this team." And what a coup that appointment was! Brook's subsequent performances have only reinforced Stokes's faith in him, so much so that the former captain is now vocal about his backing for the 24-year-old.
Stokes didn't hold back on his views either, suggesting that Joe Root wasn't the right man for the job in his absence - a subtle but telling criticism of the England hierarchy's decision. "You don’t ask someone to be vice-captain if you don’t think he’s got the skills and ability to captain the team," Stokes said pointedly. And by extension, that makes Brook the obvious choice, with Stokes throwing his 100% support firmly behind him.
But just as the spotlight's shining brightly on the next generation of English cricket stars, Brendon McCullum is proving that he's not ready to hang up his boots just yet. The head coach has reaffirmed his commitment to the England setup until 2027, insisting that "the project isn’t finished yet" and that his enthusiasm for English cricket remains unwavering.
The relationship between Stokes and McCullum was once a match made in heaven - but behind-the-scenes tensions were rumoured to have mounted during the Ashes series. And it's clear now that Stokes was done, not just with playing, but with being involved too. His conversations with the hierarchy were brief and decisive, leaving no doubt about his intentions.
McCullum is taking a level-headed approach to finding the next captain, acknowledging there are "many good candidates" within the squad and promising a thorough selection process that will give the new leader every chance of success. It's clear the focus now shifts from who Stokes was backing to how Brook - or whoever takes over - can carry on his legacy.