Former England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan has singled out Harry Brook as his only favourite to become the next Test captain for the Three Lions. Morgan's statement came days after star cricketer and his former teammate Ben Stokes announced his international retirement following the end of the Trent Bridge Test against New Zealand.

With Stokes gone, Morgan stated that Brook appears to be the only viable candidate apart from Joe Root, who led the team at the Oval in Stokes' absence. With Brook being the current white-ball skipper as well, Morgan believes it is a duty he can be relieved of, allowing him to focus on the Test side, provided the depth of options in the white-ball teams.

"I think there's possibly only one candidate in that changing room, and that's Brook - unless they go back to Joe Root. Brook is the front-runner for me, and I would look elsewhere for the white-ball captaincy. I think there are more options to give the white-ball captaincy within the side, candidates like Phil Salt, Sam Curran, and an outside pick like Will Jacks," Morgan said, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket.

Little bit shocked; didn't see it coming: Morgan on Trent Bridge loss

Stokes' retirement was announced minutes prior to the close of the second session of play on the fourth day of the encounter.

He had been involved in an altercation at a nightclub after the first Test of the series, which saw him being dropped for the second Test at the Oval, which the hosts lost by 253 runs. They also lost the third Test by 160 runs, losing the series 2-1. 

Chasing a mammoth 373 in the fourth innings of the series finale, England came out all guns blazing, taking the attack to the New Zealand bowlers.

Stokes, in his final swansong, opened the batting, scoring a quickfire 20-ball 30. The high-intent approach saw the Englishmen being reduced to 103 for 4 at the end of Day 4, eventually losing the game, falling 160 short. Morgan stated he was puzzled by England's decision on that evening and mentioned that such a call to send Stokes out to open was unnecessary.

"The decision, I was a little bit shocked by. I didn't really see it coming," Morgan said. Having played with Ben for a long time, I know he would have envisaged finishing in a blaze of glory, like the majority of his career.

In his head, he would have believed he could go out there, open the batting and chase down whatever - or make a huge dent in the score - but I felt there was no need to make that call," Morgan said.

He further stated that the game was set up for Stokes to anchor the chase on the following morning and expressed disappointment at the way the team and Stokes went about the run chase.

"The game was set up perfectly for Ben to come in the next day and, with however many to chase, dominate the run-chase. I felt it was a little bit forced and it left a sour taste in people's mouths.

It set ablaze everything they'd achieved in the three or four years leading up to that period.

"In such a short space of time, to almost undermine what had been going on with some of the shots that were made by some high-quality batters was really disappointing to watch. I think to a certain extent it has [tarnished their legacy]. And I think Ben himself will be gutted about that, as he'll not be around to help pick things up and move things forward," he added.

Beyond Morgan, Stokes himself has voiced his opinion, wanting Brook to succeed him as the new leader of the red-ball side. The youngster has also said that it would be a thing of huge honour for him if at all it happens.