England batter Harry Brook has been continuing his purple patch in Test cricket in the ongoing opening game of the 2-match series against Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. However, he failed to score a century in the first innings of the first Test against New Zealand as he amassed his second Test half-century and entertained the fans at the venue before being dismissed by Neil Wagner.
Coming in to bat at No. 5 in the 27th over, Harry Brook amassed 89 (81) comprising 15 fours and a six at a strike rate of 109.87 to not let his team lose an advantage created by opening batter Ben Duckett (84) in the afternoon.
WATCH – Harry Brook Flaunts His Shot Range With A Beautiful Lofted Off-drive
With the current crop of English batters playing the aggressive brand of cricket in Tests as well, Harry Brook kept on smashing boundaries all around the ground. Notwithstanding the loss of two quick wickets, a brave Brook hit an aerial off drove off New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner on the fourth ball that he faced to earn his first boundary despite not the most perfect of executions.
It was against Wagner only that Harry Brook hit his next three fours over the slips, through covers, and over mid-off to get going. What followed was the youngsters keeping up the ante with the help of numerous eye-catching shots in the process. Duckett and Brook’s half-centuries played a key role in England declaring their innings at 325/9 in 58.2 overs.
WATCH – Joe Root Reverse Scoops Neil Wagner Over The Slips For A Boundary
Assuming Brook manages to score his fourth Test century in the second innings of this match, he will become only the 13th batter in the history of cricket to score centuries in four consecutive Test matches. Harry Brook was eventually dismissed by Neil Wagner in the 55th over. It can be termed as an unlucky dismissal. The consistent effort balls from Neil Wagner forced the error from a man who just wants to get a move on. Brook stood tall to smash the ball but it took the inside edge and crashed into his timbers.
A tragic end for Harry Brook 😔
He falls just 11 runs short of his 4th Test match century… #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/ntTkS4FxQt
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 16, 2023
Analyzing teh knock from harry Brook on BT Sport, former England skipper, Harry Brook said, “[Harry Brook] just continues to make jaws drop. The one [shot] he played straight down the ground, Tim Southee should have earned [by now] much more respect than that. He is fearless. Harry Brook, at the moment, is in the form of his list.”
