Image: Will Ben Stokes become captain of the White Ball after the Champions Trophy exit? / © The Independent
For the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, England’s white-ball team suffered a disastrous campaign, losing all three group-stage matches and exiting the tournament early. This failure led to Jos Buttler stepping down as captain, prompting England to explore new leadership options. With the T20 World Cup victory in 2022 and the ODI World Cup triumph in 2019 still fresh in their memories, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now seeking a long-term solution to revive the team’s fortunes.
One of the primary candidates for the captaincy is Ben Stokes, who led England’s Test side successfully alongside head coach Brendon McCullum. England’s managing director, Rob Key, acknowledged that Stokes is a strong contender but emphasized the need to evaluate all possibilities. While Stokes has focused on red-ball cricket in recent years to manage his injuries, his leadership and experience make him a viable option.
Key also mentioned other potential candidates, including Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Harry Brook, with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Despite Brook’s underwhelming performance in the Champions Trophy, he is still viewed as England’s future. England’s next ODI assignment is a home series against the West Indies in May, where a new captain is expected to take charge.