'The things he did for the Test side have been phenomenal': Harry Brook on Brendon McCullum

# Sports Desk
England's head coach Brendon McCullum (R) talks England's Harry Brook with after the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between England and India at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham. | Photo: AFP
England's head coach Brendon McCullum (R) talks England's Harry Brook with after the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between England and India at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham. | Photo: AFP

Harry Brook remains confident that England's white-ball side is moving in the right direction despite another disappointing one-day international defeat, but the skipper was more cautious when asked about the prospect of taking over as England's next Test captain.

England suffered a six-wicket loss to India at Edgbaston on Tuesday, extending their poor run in the 50-over format to 14 defeats in their last 20 ODIs. The result raises fresh concerns ahead of next year's ODI World Cup in southern Africa, despite England having earlier completed a 4-0 T20 series sweep over India.

Brook, 27, had previously indicated he would be willing to captain England across all three formats if given the opportunity. However, the landscape has changed following the departure of Brendon McCullum as England's Test coach after a difficult run that included seven defeats in nine Tests, a 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia and a 2-1 home series defeat to New Zealand, which also marked Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket. McCullum continues to oversee England's white-ball teams.

Reflecting on McCullum's departure, Brook said: "It was obviously disappointing for me. Brendon has played a massive part in my career.

"I've only ever played under him and he's been awesome for me. The things that he did for the Test side when he first came in, and in the last few years, have been phenomenal. He is going to be missed."

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When asked about the possibility of succeeding Stokes as Test captain, Brook made it clear the decision rests with England's new Test coach.

"It's not up to me to make that (captaincy) decision. Whatever decision they make, I'll be fully behind them. It's up to them to decide who they want and I'm enjoying my role as white-ball captain at the minute.

"I think we're heading in the right direction. What will be will be."

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has backed Andy Flower as McCullum's successor, citing his successful spell between 2009 and 2014 that included three Ashes series victories and England reaching the top of the Test rankings. Former England batter Jonathan Trott has also emerged as a contender after earning praise for his coaching work with Afghanistan and has now taken up a short-term consultancy role with Ireland.

England's immediate priority is to bounce back in the second ODI against India in Cardiff on Thursday and level the three-match series, setting up a decider at Lord's on Sunday. To do so, Brook believes his side must address the batting collapse that saw England slump from 61 without loss to 80 for five at Edgbaston.

"There was a poor period when we lost five for 20 runs, which obviously made a massive difference in the game really," said Brook, who remained optimistic about England's prospects in the format.

"The World Cup is a long way away," he said. "Hopefully we can come back stronger in Cardiff."