Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Joe Root interim captain duties have been confirmed for England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, with Rob Key saying Harry Brook’s disciplinary record was “not the main reason” behind the decision.

Root was chosen after Ben Stokes was ruled unavailable following a curfew breach, leaving England to look beyond Brook, their Test vice-captain and current white-ball captain.

The decision follows Ben Stokes Dropped for Second New Zealand Test Amid ECB Investigation, with England’s leadership call now under close public focus. Official England team updates can be followed through the England and Wales Cricket Board website.

Rob Key Backs Root for Short-Term Role

Brook would normally have been the clear stand-in for Stokes, but his own recent disciplinary history made the situation more awkward for England.

Key said the decision came down to timing, workload and the scale of the Test captaincy.

"I just don't feel that it is the right time," Key told the BBC. "That's the decision we came to. The Test captaincy is a massive job, even on an interim basis, especially going into this next Test match and everything Harry would have to deal with - plus the fact Harry, at the moment, is getting his head around white-ball cricket as well as being one of the best Test batters in the world.

"It just didn't feel like that was the right time, for a number of different reasons. English cricket is incredibly fortunate to have Joe Root. English cricket has relied on him, not just as a batter.

"Every time you're 10 for 2, Joe Root is the man that gets England out of a hole and he's doing that again for us. Yet again, Joe Root doesn't question anything when you ask him to do something."

Brook Workload Also Considered

Brook was fined last year after being “clocked” by a nightclub bouncer before an ODI in New Zealand.

"I think that would be one of them, yeah," Key said, when asked whether the incident counted against Brook.

"That's not the main reason, that's for sure. [They are] the enormity of that job, what's best for Harry, and what's best for this team going forward."

Key said Brook had “no issue whatsoever” with the call and would remain Root’s vice-captain.

"At this stage, there were two candidates who could have done it, and we've gone for Joe Root."