Joe Root has hailed his England teammate Harry Brook as “by far and away the best player in the world” following Brook’s impressive performances during England’s recent Test series against New Zealand.
Root, currently ranked as the world’s No. 1 batter by the International Cricket Council (ICC), made the comments after Brook’s remarkable knock of 123 in England’s victory over New Zealand in Wellington. This century marked Brook’s second of the series, following a triple-century during England’s recent tour of Pakistan. The performance further solidified Brook’s growing reputation as one of the world’s most formidable batsmen.
“To be able to construct an innings like that off the back of another exceptional hundred the week before, with such an all-round game — he can absorb pressure, he can apply it,” Root said. “He can whack you over your head for six, scoop you for six, smack spin, and seam. He’s an incredible all-round player.”
Despite Root’s own stellar century in Wellington — his 36th in Test cricket, placing him among the top five players in history for most Test centuries — it’s Brook’s rapid rise that has captured the attention of the cricketing world. At 25, Brook has already scored 2,280 runs in his 23 Test matches, setting a new benchmark for England players. No English player has accumulated more runs in their first 23 Tests, and his batting average of 61.62 places him third on the all-time list, behind only Sir Donald Bradman and Adam Voges.
Root, who has often been placed alongside Australia’s Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, and India’s Virat Kohli in the ‘Fab Four’ of modern-day Test batters, acknowledged that Brook is now part of a new generation of rising stars. This generation includes players like India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, and New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra. Root believes that Brook’s current form makes him the standout player globally.
“Brookie is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute,” Root said, with Brook himself acknowledging the praise. “I’m trying to catch him, but he’s too good, isn’t he? He’s obviously one of the best players, if not the best, to have ever played the game. It’s mega to play with him, and he’s awesome to watch.”
England’s dominant 323-run victory in Wellington clinched the series, marking their first away series win in two years and their first in New Zealand since 2008. Brook, however, was not on the field when England sealed the win, having sustained an ankle injury playing football. Despite missing the final moments of the match, Brook is expected to be fit for the final Test of the series in Hamilton on Saturday.
New Zealand have made a change to their squad for the final Test, with opener Devon Conway missing the match due to the birth of his first child. Will Young is expected to replace Conway in the lineup, with Mark Chapman being added to the squad.
England’s success in New Zealand and the rise of players like Brook continue to signal a new era for English cricket, with the team showcasing a dynamic mix of youth and experience.
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