Former player Michael Vaughan said that England are better off with Joe Root batting at No. 3 instead of Harry Brook, who faced a poor outing in the first innings of the ongoing third Ashes Test. However, he was promoted up the batting order in the absence of Ollie Pope, but he failed to leave a mark after being dismissed for just three runs as well.

Vaughan told Cricbuzz: “Considering they’ll have to chase something in the fourth innings, I’ll tell England don’t be scared of tinkering. Don’t be scared of realizing that Harry ( Brook) didn’t look quite suited at no. 3 and maybe can push Joe ( Root) upto no. 3. He pretty much opened the batting tonight, having come in so soon. Don’t be worried about maneuvering the batting order because Harry Brook is a really dangerous player but if you said to Australia, do you like him batting at 3, they will say thank you very much. For that reason, maybe Harry goes down the order.”

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However, before the third Ashes Test, Brook’s only experience at No. 3 in Test cricket came in the County Championship with an average of 22 as well. Harry Brook made his Test debut during the 2022 home series against South Africa and used the chance to cement his position in the middle order following Jonny Bairstow’s long-term injury.

“Feel for him because he’s just started his Test career and been brilliant with 4 hundreds, 4 fifties. He’s a destructive player and we’ve seen him play many good shots in this series already. At Edgbaston, he played great at times and first innings at Lord’s he was playing nicely until starting to baseball bat.” Vaughan continued: “Gets a good ball in the second innings and few days later you are up at no. 3 against Pat Cummins who’s the best. An unbelievable bowler who with the new ball will always challenge you on both sides , inside and outside edge of the bat so it is a tall order.”