Joe Root who had just made his highest one day international score as England won the series against the West Indies said of new skipper Harry Brook. “He led the team really well.” A fine endorsement from a senior player. Then he added, “He might not always be the most intelligent away from cricket, but he understands the game exceptionally well.” Now what?

The assertion, though seemingly blunt, is not just a commentary on Brook’s off-field persona or academic inclinations, but rather a reflection of the intricate relationship between personal and professional identities in modern sport. Root’s words, from an experienced cricketer, provoke more questions than answers. What does it mean for a player to lack intelligence outside cricket, and is such an assessment relevant?

Players often live in bubbles. Their lives revolve around the rhythm of matches, practice, sponsorships, and the media circus that accompanies it all. Brook, 26, has already gained a reputation for his aggressive approach to........

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