
White-ball captain Harry Brook reflects on leadership lessons, his batting form, and wanting to be the player England fans rely on.
England white-ball captain Harry Brook reflects on leadership lessons following an off-field incident in Wellington, his batting form, and his desire to be a reliable, match-winning player for his team.
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Harry Brook faced doubts over his captaincy after an off-field incident involving a nightclub bouncer in Wellington nearly a year ago.
White-ball captain Harry Brook says he has "learned a lot" as a captain and a person - and wants to be the player England fans rely on.
It is almost a year since Brook, 27, was punched by a nightclub bouncer on the eve of a match against New Zealand in Wellington, which led to doubts over his future as skipper.
He has not made a Test hundred since, including failing to do so during last winter's Ashes, but has been in excellent white-ball form and has overseen a resurgence in England's 50-over and T20 sides.
"I've learnt a lot as a captain, I've learnt a lot as a person," Brook, whose side return to action in a 50-over tri-series on Tuesday, told Press Association.
"I know it wasn't an ideal situation to put myself in, but I feel like as a captain and a leader I've learnt a lot.
"Responsibilities and leadership aren't just on the field, they're more so off the field as well and actions speak louder than words."
Brook remains one of England's most fascinating cricketers.
Despite being white-ball skipper and serving as Test vice-captain, he was overlooked for the red-ball job when Ben Stokes retired, with Joe Root preferred.
He averages a formidable 53.08 in Tests - the highest for England in almost 60 years - with 10 centuries, but often draws criticism for his aggressive, some say reckless, batting.
While he has failed to convert any of his seven fifties into centuries since the Ashes, he still averages 41.57 and has scored hundreds as captain in T20s and one-day internationals in that time.
"I enjoy the extra responsibility," he said. "I like the extra little bit of added pressure.
"I'm not going to go out there and score runs every time I bat but I want to be the man that is in that match-winning situation who can get us over the line.
"I know there have been a few innings where I haven't managed to do that but hopefully I've turned that corner and I can really be the man England fans and the team rely on."
The debate around Brook was perhaps best summed up by Stokes telling the Yorkshireman he is talented enough to average 65 or 70.
"Personally I'm not that bothered about the stats, I've always said I think there should be a match-winning column in your stats – that's not there," Brook said.
"I write stuff down and I try and judge myself on whether I've had a match-winning performance or match-winning impact in that specific game and I try and tally it up at the end of the year and see how well I've done."
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England returns to action in a 50-over tri-series
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