Agree with the sentiment and I believe that Brunty himself may wish to relinquish the captaincy, but it is difficult to see a way clear to achieve this without him losing face. I certainly would not wish to see him humiliated in any way.
The Dawson option is a runner, providing his teammates will respond. Maybe there is a ‘Alistair Cook’ type option allowing some sort of captaincy retirement allowing a designate position...indeed Livermore