Harry Brook has stated he would welcome the opportunity to captain England in Test cricket, calling the role the "pinnacle of our sport." The 27-year-old also believes it is possible to lead the national side in all three formats of the game, despite the demanding schedule.
England is currently searching for a new Test captain following Ben Stokes' retirement from the role. Stokes has publicly endorsed Brook as a potential successor.
"I don't think you can turn down being an England Test captain," Brook told BBC Sport. "It would be an honour and a privilege to be Test captain... It's not up to me to make that decision. It's up to people well above me. I'd be happy to do it if I did get asked."
Brook, who was named England's white-ball captain last year, also served as Stokes' vice-captain in the Test side during the recent Ashes tour. This experience positions him as a leading candidate for the Test captaincy.
Despite his readiness, Brook acknowledged the significant workload faced by multi-format players. The tight turnaround between the end of the Test series against New Zealand and the start of a five-match T20 series against India, for which Brook is captain, highlights this challenge. He noted that the busy schedule meant he only recently met all-rounder James Coles, who received his maiden call-up to an England squad.
Brook is not the first multi-format captain in England's recent history. Andrew Strauss last held the position across all three formats simultaneously in 2009, though his tenure as T20 captain lasted only one match.
Brook's commitment to avoiding franchise cricket during certain periods could aid his ability to manage the demands of captaincy across different formats. "The fact I don't play franchise cricket means there are periods in my calendar when I wouldn't be playing cricket," he explained. "I'd be focussing on my fitness and getting ready to play all three formats, which has been a dream of mine since I could speak or walk."
Regardless of the captaincy decision, Brook affirmed his commitment to playing for England. "If I am or I am not captain for England in Test cricket, I'd be happy to just still be playing for England."
The England XI for the first T20 international against India on Wednesday is set to include Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, and Saqib Mahmood.