Jos Buttler's resignation as captain of the England white-ball cricket teams has ushered in discussions about the future leadership of the squad. The 2025 Champions Trophy marked yet another poor performance for England, leading to the inevitable scrutiny faced by Buttler after the team's failures. Despite having led the country to victory at the 2022 T20 World Cup, recent results have sparked speculation about his continuation as captain.
England's loss during the tournament has prompted calls for change, and three prominent candidates have emerged to potentially replace Buttler. With each selection, the cricket community is considering not only performance but also the future of English cricket.
First among these candidates is Harry Brook, who has made significant strides forward as one of England's rising stars. Despite experiencing fluctuations in form, Brook's leadership abilities shone during the ODI series against Australia back in 2024, when he captained the side successfully. With 312 runs across five innings, averaging 78, Brook also achieved one century and two fifties. The series concluded with England winning two out of five matches, following his tactical guidance after falling behind initially, demonstrating his resilience and capability under pressure.
Brook stands out not just for his batting but for his experience and potential. Now 26 years old, he has become the vice-captain of the England squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. His aggressive batting style combined with leadership instincts positions him as one of the strongest candidates to step up as the new captain of the white-ball team.
Another seasoned option is Joe Root, England's former Test captain. Root captained the team over 64 Test matches but could bring his extensive experience and respected leadership style to the white-ball side if chosen. With 6,822 runs over 165 One Day Internationals and impressive statistics—averaging 48.04 with 17 centuries and 41 fifties—Root's consistent form could help stabilize England's performance during this transition period.
Currently, Root finds himself performing admirably during the Champions Trophy, having notched up one half-century and one century, reaffirming his standing as one of England's most reliable players. He could potentially serve as captain for the next two years leading up to the 2027 World Cup, utilizing his experience to guide the team through its rebuilding phase.
Lastly, Ben Duckett has emerged as another serious candidate for captaincy. His exceptional form has garnered attention, particularly with his incredible 165-run performance at the start of the Champions Trophy 2025. Over the past few years, Duckett has developed himself as an all-format player, gaining extensive experience both internationally and through various T20 leagues across the globe.
Duckett has established himself within the leadership group, having previously served as vice-captain during the ODI series against Ireland back in 2023. His contributions to county cricket and his performances for Welsh Fire position him as not only capable but ready to assume greater responsibilities within the England cricket framework.
With both experience and youth vying for the captaincy, the decision is pivotal for the future of England's white-ball cricket. Recent analyses highlight differing opinions on who would best succeed Buttler, with many including former captain Nasser Hussain stating, "Harry Brook is the obvious candidate as next white-ball captain." This sentiment points to the considerable faith placed upon Brook as the frontrunner for the position.
Change is always difficult, particularly within sports teams where current leadership and past successes can dictate decisions. Nonetheless, moving forward from Buttler's tenure could offer England the opportunity to rebuild and refocus, aiming for future success on the world stage.