'Stokesy Coming Back...': Harry Brook Opens Up On World Cup Snub

image-llhnz8z9Ben Stokes guided England to their first World Cup win in 2019

England’s prodigious batter, Harry Brook has expressed disappointment following his omission from England's preliminary World Cup 2023 squad.

Harry Brook revealed behind-the-scenes discussions

This unexpected turn of events comes after Ben Stokes' surprising decision to step back into the ODI format, just a year after announcing his retirement.

Brook, who has been making waves in Test cricket and has shown promise in T20Is, has had limited exposure in ODIs, having played only three games against South Africa earlier this year. One notable performance was his impressive 80 off 75 balls in the second ODI. Despite this, he was hopeful to display his skills in the upcoming World Cup 2023 in India.

However, the return of the dynamic all-rounder has cast a shadow on Brook's immediate future in England’s ODI lineup. The latter's inclusion for both the New Zealand series and the World Cup seems to have edged Brook out of the picture.

After a match in The Hundred 2023 against the London Spirit, the 24-year-old cricketer addressed his omission. A disappointed Brook acknowledged that there was nothing he could do to alter the situation. He pointed out the need to move forward and not dwell on it.

The attacking batter also revealed that his interactions with Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler had been limited, but they had indicated that due to Stokes’ comeback, he would probably not be included this time. He further recognized Stokes’ stature which left him with no room for complaints.

“Obviously, it's disappointing but I can't do anything about it now. You've just got to move on. I'm trying not to think about it anymore. I've not had much conversation with Matthew [Mott] or Jos [Buttler]. They said with Stokesy coming back I was probably going to miss out this time. He is one of the best players to ever play cricket, so I can't really complain, can I?” said Brook.

The lanky batter went on to convey a sense of confidence in his current game, expressing that he could potentially make a meaningful contribution to the team. Yet, he acknowledged that there's always more that can be done.

“I believe my current performance on the field is strong, and I think I could bring a positive contribution to the team. However, there's constantly room for improvement,” added the England prodigy.