Harry Brook has become a cricket superstar. He is unstoppable at the moment with all signs of a great batter.
The 24 years old brought he 4th test century during his only 9 innings of test career. When England was down, 21/3, Harry Brook and Joe Root took over the rebuilding job and played exceptional knock. Both have shared 294 runs partnership at the end of day 1 and with a bit of rain interrupting the last session, New Zealand have save themselves from a humiliating day.
England ended day 1 with 315 on board for only 3 wickets. The day’s highlights can be summed with the batting prowess of young Harry Brook who kept scoring runs at good run rate. The young top order batsman now has most runs after 6 matches in test, 807 runs at an average of 100.88 and strike rate of 99.38.
These numbers just tell how defiant he is while batting. He has hit now 20 sixes in test cricket in only 9 innings, that is some batting. Brook dominated New Zealand bowlers throughout the innings as he is 184 at the stumps day 1. His strike rate is 108.88 with 25 fours and five sixes.
Joe Root, too, scored a magnificent ton in his classic style. Now, he has equalled Sir Don Bradman’s record of 29 centuries and only one behind to Steve Smith in currently fab four with most centuries. He is clearly one of the best in business now today it was all about Harry Brook who kept the whole Innings enlightening.
New Zealand had a perfect start with the ball, they dismissed Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for mere 21 runs. It was all in their hands with ball swinging regularly on green turf. However, from thereon things changed and both the players pioneered a record partnership for England at Hamilton of 294 runs.
England have their nose ahead in the game and with the interruption from rain, things have calmed. It will be tough for New Zealand to make a comeback but if they can restrict England under 450, then they can bat through on a good deck and at least aim for draw.