Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/WELLINGTON: Harry Brook scored a majestic 184 to place England firmly in control against New Zealand in the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday.
England have kissed a fair few frogs over the years, but on a typical Wellington pitch that started as green as Kermit himself came the latest evidence that, in Brook, they finally discovered a new middle-order prince.
Joe Root questioned his role amid England’s aggressive resurgence, and on the opening day of this second Test against New Zealand came the answer that seemed evident to all but him: be Joe Root.
He built his 29 Test century here by getting his head down and simply batting, the milestone coming from 182 balls and seconds before rain brought stump. But as Root was delivering his latest masterpiece at one end, picking off seven fours, pinching ones and twos in wing-heeled fashion, and bringing out a reverse scoop party trick towards the end, Brook’s impressive start to his England career continued at the other in a flurry of 24 fours and five sixes.
The 23-year-old was walked out to the middle early with a perilous 21 for three; Tim Southee and Matt Henry had got the red Kookaburra ball to zip off the baize surface at a Basin Reserve. By the time Brook strode off, he was 184 not out from 169 balls, his 4th hundred in his 6th Test cricket match and unquestionably his best.
Highest English partnership on New Zealand soil
The two Yorkshiremen had put on the unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 294 to see the tourists reach 315 for three from 65 overs. This master and apprentice alliance was a record for any English pairing on New Zealand soil, going past the 281 runs shared by Andrew Flintoff and Graham Thorpe at Christchurch back in 2002. Joe Root batted out of his crease, Brook often stood deep, and despite the surface offering bounce and a bit of nibble, New Zealand’s lengths threw at times.
Test cricket is supposed to be the daunting arena, and yet Brook already has 807 more runs than any other player in history after 9 innings and has done so at a strike rate of 99.38. His anticipation of the bowler’s intention is quite something and allied with significant power.
