Harry Brook continues to impress as he hits an unbeaten 184 to put England in control

It was the day Harry Brook went from England’s next great batsman to one of today’s greats. There is no other word to describe it. Not after this.

This was a pretty impressive unbeaten 184 on the first day of the second Test, full of classic shots, a bit of unorthodoxy and plenty of extraordinary power, giving Brook a record at this early stage of his career to compare with the best of all the times. to play the game

No one in the rich history of Test cricket has scored more runs than this remarkable youngster from Yorkshire after just nine Test innings.

Not even the best of all in Don Bradman, who made two more visits to the crease than Brook to make his fourth century.

‘Bradmanesque’ was a term used liberally in the Basin Reserve today to describe Brook and why not? His average is now in the over 100s and his hit rate is a dazzling 99.38. And all after the relative failure of his first Test appearance last summer.

Harry Brook (pictured) hits 184 to put England in control of the first day of the second Test

Brooks formed an unbroken partnership of 294 along with fellow hitter Joe Root (pictured)

How fitting, too, that watching from the other end in an unbroken partnership of 294 that saw off New Zealand’s filler was arguably the best batsman in England history in Joe Root. Even he could have been excused for not believing what he saw.

This was certainly the best of Brook’s four hundred to date because he came with England facing real adversity in their quest to win their seventh Test in a row and their 11th in 12 matches since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum teamed up last year.

Winning the toss and bowling first is a real advantage on this wonderful ground where New Zealand have not been beaten for 13 years and when Stokes called incorrectly and saw his side go down 21 for three on a green pitch, history seemed be ready to repeat.

It was then that the apprentice in Brook joined the master in Root for the fourth highest wicket stand for England against New Zealand another day as they invited another huge crowd to another convincing display of their pioneering brand of Test cricket.

Brook joined the master in Root for the fourth-highest wicket for England against New Zealand

It was easy to miss the contribution of Root, who made his first century in eight Tests and finished unbeaten on 101 after getting back to what he does best – racking up runs at a more than decent rate – after questioning the best form in which can fit. on this side of all the action.

But the day belonged to a man who, with a fair wind, will probably come to usurp even Root, against both red ball and white ball, when his time comes 10 years or so from now to be ranked in the pantheon of greats. Brook really is that good.

England were in trouble as Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett went down in the first seven overs, Matt Henry returned to the New Zealand side to claim two of them and Tim Southee removed Duckett thanks to a strong catch from Michael Bracewell.

Now is the crucial moment for Crawley. Despite all the faith England have placed in him and his insistence that he can play winning innings, he continues to underperform. Jonny Bairstow will return this summer and unless he does a great job in the second innings, it should be Crawley, not favorite Ben Foakes, who gives way.

Brook, who had just turned 24, had the technique to tackle the moving ball on a sporting surface and then the ability to ensure England got their foot back on the gas and moved to 315 for three from just 65. overs for the premature closure.

In the process, Brook played virtually every shot in the book, hitting Southee for a coverage hit, slice, and square drive for four successive balls; crushing Daryl Mitchell direct and then long for six successive and reaching his hundred with a majestic late cut of four off Bracewell. There was even a six drawn from the hapless Mitchell.

Brook reached 50 for 51 balls, 100 for 107 delivery, ran between 100 and 150 on 38 balls and finished on 184 for 169 as New Zealand’s punishment came to an end for the day. He had simply intimidated the Black Caps not quite into submission, but not too far.

Brook (pictured) reached 50 of 51 balls, 100 of 107 shooting and finished 184 of 169

Root was pedestrian by comparison, but that’s exactly how he should play on this side. His scoring was fast enough, reaching 50 in 122 balls and moving to a 29th century, the same number as Bradman, who clearly meant a lot to him at 182 just before the rain stopped the fun.

Root had punched the air when Brook hit a hundred even before himself (young Harry simply accepted his Yorkshireman’s congratulations before removing his helmet and raising both arms high) and now hailed his own triumph. like a man. easy on himself and genuinely excited about what has happened to this side since he stepped down from the captaincy.

It was a great day for Yorkshire. Not only did he dominate a pair of White Rose County created batsmen, but Herbert Sutcliffe’s name was mentioned as Brook surpassed his English record for most runs after nine Test innings. And to think that Brook grew up in the village of Burley-in-Wharfedale, just 13 miles from where Sutcliffe lived in Cross Hills.

This modern Yorkshire couple creating their own history will return for a second day with the power to add many more and put this Test and the series out of New Zealand’s sights. And all in a pretty mind-blowing style.