Resolution criteria

This market will resolve to the individual officially appointed as England's Test cricket captain following Ben Stokes' tenure. The resolution will be based on an official announcement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) or other reputable sources such as BBC Sport or ESPN Cricinfo.

Background

Ben Stokes has been serving as England's Test captain since April 2022. In August 2024, he was sidelined due to a hamstring injury, leading to Ollie Pope stepping in as captain for the series against Sri Lanka. (reuters.com)

Potential Successors:

• Harry Brook: A prominent right-handed batsman, Brook has been a key player in England's Test side. In April 2025, he was appointed as England's white-ball captain, succeeding Jos Buttler. (reuters.com)

• Ollie Pope: A right-handed middle-order batsman, Pope has been a consistent performer for England. He served as vice-captain under Stokes and captained the team during Stokes' injury absence. (en.wikipedia.org)

• Jamie Smith: A wicket-keeper batsman, Smith made his Test debut in July 2024 and has shown promise in his performances. (en.wikipedia.org)

Considerations

• Leadership Experience: While Brook has experience leading the white-ball side, his leadership in Test cricket is limited. Pope has captained in Stokes' absence, providing him with direct Test leadership experience.

• Player Workload: Brook's dual role as white-ball captain may influence the ECB's decision, considering the demands of leading across formats.

• Team Dynamics: The ECB may consider the impact of leadership changes on team cohesion and performance, especially with upcoming series and tournaments.