Overview

• Vaughan told the Test Match Special podcast that Brook “looks a born leader” and should assume the Test captaincy instead of vice-captain Ollie Pope in Stokes’ absence.
• Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the fifth Test at the Kennington Oval with a shoulder injury and hamstring strain, prompting Pope to stand in as skipper.
• Since April 2025 Brook has captained England in eight ODIs and three T20Is, maintaining an unbeaten record in T20Is and winning five of eight ODIs.
• Pope has led England in four Tests before the current match, achieving three wins and one loss, but his only first-class captaincy came in a single county fixture.
• Vaughan warned that successful vice-captains do not always excel when promoted, citing Marcus Trescothick’s career as a cautionary example.