Harry Brook’s purple patch in Test cricket continued in the opening game of the 2-match series against New Zealand. However, he failed to score a century in the first innings of the first Test at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Neil Wagner’s consistent effort balls forced the error from a man who just wanted to get a move on. Brook stood tall to smash the ball but it took the inside edge and crashed into his timbers.
Harry Brook’s First Innings
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. He kept smashing boundaries all around the ground, and with the help of numerous eye-catching shots, he and Ben Duckett’s half-centuries played a key role in England declaring their innings at 325/9 in 58.2 overs.
Brook’s Unlucky Dismissal
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. However, in the 55th over, Wagner dismissed him with a fiery bouncer that took the inside edge and crashed into his timbers.
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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 BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 16, 2023
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.
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Harry Brook’s knock in the first innings was a treat to watch, but his dismissal by Wagner reminds us of the unpredictable nature of cricket. Wagner’s consistent effort balls and fiery bouncer forced the error from the batter, ending his innings on a high. However, Brook’s performances suggest that he could be the next big thing in English cricket.