Ben Stokes retirement: What next for England management and players after shock decision?

Speaking at his final England media conference, Stokes threw his “100% support” behind vice-captain Brook as his successor.

“There was a reason to ask him to be vice-captain,” Stokes said.

Brook has been deputy since the end of last summer but Joe Root was preferred when England captain was needed for the second Test against New Zealand amid an investigation into the nightclub incident that ruled out Stokes.

It has been six months since Brook’s own late-night episode, after he was punched by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington the night before he led England out in an ODI against New Zealand last November.

Key said earlier this month that the time was not “right” for Brooke to take the job, even on an interim basis.

Stokes’ support for Brooke, however, was unequivocal. Given the opportunity, he said without such a strong defense of McCullum or Key, those decisions do not have to be made.

Stokes said, ‘You are asked to be vice-captain for a reason. “It’s a natural progression. I see no reason why Harry wouldn’t be asked to do it.

“Some decisions were made in the last couple of weeks (about Root’s appointment) but I wasn’t part of making them.”

Brook is set to speak to the media on Tuesday — the first time he’ll speak publicly since being overlooked for Root.

The difficulty Brook will face if named captain in all three formats also points to a rapid turnaround.