Harry Brook feels it would be a "great honour" for him to lead England in Test cricket, reiterating his deep commitment for the national team above any franchise T20 opportunities.

England cricket is still in the wake of Ben Stokes's abrupt retirement, leaving them without a talismanic all-rounder but also without their Test leader of four years. When Stokes was withdrawn from the second Test of what proved to be his final series, Joe Root was thrust into emergency captaincy duties. But now, there lies a bigger question about his successor.

England's focus quickly shifts to the five-match T20I series against India, which begins just a couple of days after Stokes's last day as an international cricketer. Yet, Brook - their white-ball captain - had to naturally field questions on the subject in the pre-match press conference.

"Look, it would be a great honour to do it, it'd be a privilege to do it, to captain England in the highest format of our game," Brook said. "The pinnacle, I think it is. Playing Test cricket is the greatest thing that I've ever done in my life and it's a dream and something that I've always wanted to do since I could speak. Look, it's not up to me, that decision, but if I got offered it then I'd be happy to take it".

Brook might seem like the obvious successor, especially after Stokes himself gave him a ringing endorsement before signing off. Calling it a "natural progression" from being a vice-captain, Stokes threw his "100% support" behind Brook.

And even while interim captaincy fell on Root, who has led in 65 Tests - the most by an England skipper - he has seemingly been reluctant to promise a longer commitment. There's also a left-field, future option in Jacob Bethell, but Brook currently seems to fit best in the sweet spot between the other two.

Despite being the designated deputy to Stokes, Brook backed ECB's call to turn to Root when they needed him, and felt it was 'definitely the right decision' to hand him captaincy in the second Test against New Zealand.

"I think the decision that was made was the right one. Making Rooty captain last week was definitely the right decision. He has always been there for the ECB. He has been a stalwart for English cricket. He's in my opinion the best batter to ever play Test cricket. The ECB needed him that week as well and he stepped up. My job that week was to just try and help him as much as possible. Lots of conversations: obviously we're at first and second slip, so we're always chatting about how we can have an effect on the game. But I definitely feel ECB made the right decision".

Ascension to Test captaincy will make Brook's responsibility triple-pronged, but he isn't shying away from the possibility. When asked if leading the side will be a massive challenge, he said: "I think it would be a tough job, but everything's tough in cricket. Everything is tough, it's a hard sport".

Brook also re-emphasised his unwavering commitment towards England cricket, desisting opportunities at the IPL and PSL to stay closely connected with the system at home.

"I've committed completely to England cricket. I've said that I don't want to play any franchise cricket barring the Hundred and given everything that I want to do is to play cricket for England and whatever I do on and off the field is to try and be and perform as well as I possibly can for England, and hence the reason I don't play in the IPL and PSL and all the other franchise competitions.

"I am just happy playing cricket for England as much as I possibly can. Hence the reason I don't play any franchise cricket. For me, personally, I just got to try and look after myself, to be honest. To play as many games as I possibly can for England, and whether that's as captain or not - I'm just happy to be out on the park."

The Test captaincy question remains parked for now, with England's next red-ball assignment being against Pakistan, starting August 19. For now, Brook will step out in coloured clothing for a clash between the top two ranked T20I teams in the world.