Former England captain Michael Vaughan has suggested that another player should succeed Ben Stokes as Test captain rather than Harry Brook, despite the Yorkshireman being white-ball skipper.
Stokes was appointed as England Test captain in 2022 following Joe Root’s resignation, but has failed to lead the side to victory in a five-match series.
In 2025, the all-rounder could only lead England to a 2-2 series draw at home against India before what turned out to be a disastrous Ashes tour of Australia, during which the tourists lost 4-1 and were 3-0 down before the fourth Test in Melbourne, which they wound up winning before once again experiencing defeat in Sydney’s final Test.
Despite the defeat Down Under, Stokes maintained that he “absolutely” wanted to remain as England captain.
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England head coach Brendon McCullum, who has retained the faith of the ECB, and skipper Stokes will likely already be planning for the visits of New Zealand and Pakistan in the summer of 2026, with several players likely to be afforded opportunities.
One man who has proved his worth since being introduced midway through the Ashes series is Jacob Bethell, who scored his maiden Test and first-class century in Sydney, having since impressed at the ICC T20 World Cup, scoring a stunning 105 from just 48 balls in England’s semi-final loss to India.
The Warwickshire all-rounder has cut a composed figure and appears mature beyond his years when out in the middle, so much so that ex-England skipper Vaughan believes he should be in line to replace Stokes when the Durham man decides to step down as Test captain.
Speaking on Stick to Cricket, Vaughan said: “I’m more than happy for them [McCullum and Stokes] to carry on, but they do have to just change and adapt.”
Mark Butcher then waded in and suggested that Stokes may not be captain in the next 18 months to two years, which would result in the void needing to be filled by a younger, up-and-coming star.
“I see plenty in Jacob [Bethell],” Vaughan said.
“The problem Jacob will have is the fact that he plays all formats, and he’s such a busy kid… they made him T20 captain last September [for the series against Ireland], which was remarkable.”
The Barbados-born star led England to a 2-0 series win against Ireland while also breaking a 136-year record to become the youngest-ever England men’s captain.
Bethell has already been named Birmingham Phoenix’s captain for the 2026 Hundred campaign.
Topics: Cricket, Ben Stokes
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