Arabic version: بروك يقول إن دروس القيادة جعلته أقوى

According to BBC News, England white-ball captain Harry Brook says he has learned from off-field issues and wants to become the player England supporters can rely on. Brook said he has learned “a lot” both as a captain and as a person, stressing that leadership responsibilities extend beyond the field.

It is almost a year since Brook, 27, was punched by a nightclub bouncer on the eve of England’s match against New Zealand in Wellington, prompting doubts about his future as skipper. He said the episode was not an ideal situation to put himself in, but added that he feels it has helped him develop as a captain and leader.

Brook has not scored a Test century since then, including during last winter’s Ashes, although he has been in strong white-ball form. England have climbed to sixth in the ODI rankings and are top of the T20 rankings. Their 50-over side have won three ODI series in a row this year after struggling in the format following their 2023 World Cup defence.

The Yorkshire batter averages 53.08 in Tests, the highest average for an England player in almost 60 years, and has 10 centuries. Since the Ashes, he has made seven fifties without converting one into a hundred, but still averages 41.57 and has scored centuries as captain in both T20 and one-day internationals. Brook said he enjoys the extra responsibility and pressure, while judging himself by match-winning performances rather than statistics alone.

England begin a 50-over tri-series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Tuesday at 09:00 BST, with Sri Lanka also involved. Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is injured and fast bowler Jofra Archer has been rested. England will name their side at the toss, and Brook said he and head coach Brendon McCullum believe the squad has the depth to cope if a player is unavailable shortly before a match.