Harry Brook says off-field incident taught him lessons in leadership

England white-ball captain Harry Brook says the off-field incident that raised questions about his leadership has taught him lessons as both a player and a person, as his side prepare to return to one-day cricket in Pakistan.

Almost a year ago, Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on the eve of a match against New Zealand. The incident prompted doubts about his future as captain. “I’ve learnt a lot as a captain, I’ve learnt a lot as a person,” he told the Press Association. “Responsibilities and leadership aren’t just on the field, they’re more so off the field as well and actions speak louder than words.” [1]

Brook’s side face Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Tuesday in the opening match of a tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka. England have won three successive one-day international series this year after struggling in the format since their 2023 World Cup campaign.

The 27-year-old has not scored a Test century since the incident, including during last winter’s Ashes, but has been in strong white-ball form. He has scored centuries as captain in both T20 and one-day internationals, while England have risen to sixth in the ODI rankings and top the T20 rankings. [1]

Brook said he enjoyed the extra responsibility of captaincy and wanted to become someone England could rely on in match-winning situations. He averages 53.08 in Tests, with 10 centuries, but has not turned any of his seven half-centuries since the Ashes into a hundred. [1]

England will be without injured wicketkeeper Jos Buttler for the tri-series, while fast bowler Jofra Archer has been rested. Brook said the squad was “trending in the right direction” and that he and head coach Brendon McCullum were building towards their preferred team make-up. [1]