Joe Root Praises Harry Brook: Former England captain Joe Root has heaped the highest praise possible currently on his teammate and young batsman Harry Brook, hailing the 25-year-old as “by far and away the best player” in Test cricket right now in the world.
Root’s comments on Brook came after Brook’s century in Wellington against New Zealand, where he hammered 123 (115) after his team was in early trouble at 43/4. Brook’s ton led England to 280 in their first innings, and Joe Root’s 36th Test century in England’s second innings set a target of 583 for the hosts, chasing which the Black Caps were bowled out for 259, losing by a whopping 323 runs.
This victory in Wellington followed an eight-wicket win in Christchurch, where Brook clobbered 171 (197), which meant England sealed the three-Test series with one match to go.
Brook has had a surreal start to his Test career. In 23 Tests, he’s scored 2280 runs at an average of 61 with eight centuries, including a triple ton in Multan recently, and 10 fifties. His record away from home is unbelievable: seven centuries in 10 tests at 89.35.
‘The Best Player In The World’:Joe Root Praises Harry Brook
All of this led to Root’s remarks on Brook on Monday:
“If you asked me, Brooky is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute. He has such an all-round game: he can absorb pressure, he can apply it, he can whack you over your head for six, he can scoop you over his head for six, he can smack spin, and he can smack seam. He’s so hard to bowl to.”
Harry Brook rises to No. 2 in ICC Test batsman ranking, looks to catch up to Root
This current form—a triple century in Multan and twin tons in New Zealand—pushed Brook to the No. 2 position in the ICC Test batting rankings, which is led by Root, who equaled Rahul Dravid’s tally of 36 Test centuries. Only four men have more Test hundreds than Root and Dravid. The former England captain currently holds the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test batting rankings.
Brook said of Root,
“I’m trying to catch him, but he’s too good, isn’t he? He’s got another hundred this week, and he’s obviously one of the best players, if not the best player, to have ever played the game.”
Brook is yet to play a Test series in India and Australia. He missed the five-Test series in India earlier this year due to the passing away of his grandmother. England will be hosting India in their next summer and will tour Australia at the end of 2025.
The right-hander realizes that his high averages are likely to come down as he plays more Test cricket.
Brook admitted,
“I’ve only played 22 or 23 games, so those stats can soon come soaring down. I’m just trying to keep on getting as good as I can, working hard in the nets and improving areas that are uncomfortable. You can always get better.”
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