Brooks’ opening day effort, which reached three figures off 91 deliveries (the second fastest of his career), faced difficult conditions and took England down to 280 within just 54.5 overs, at one stage taking 26 for 3. Recorded. They were able to dismiss New Zealand for 125 and established a 155-run lead that Root’s 106 would eventually rise to a massive 582. In response, New Zealand could only muster. Scored 259 in 54.2 overs.
“Brooky is by far the best player in the world right now,” Root said, citing Brooky’s performance in New Zealand.
“He can absorb pressure, he can apply it. He can hit you over the head six times. He can hit you over the head six times. He can hit spin. He can hit the seam.
“He works well with someone like Pope (174 runs for 5 wickets in the first innings) who is too busy and scores in awkward areas and is too difficult to bowl to stop the flow of runs. I think they just work exceptionally well together. “It’s just that.”
Brook heaped praise on Root, who gets the chance to beat his previous year’s highest record of six centuries (2021) in the third and final Test in Hamilton this Saturday.
“I’m trying to catch him, but isn’t he too nice?” Brook said when asked if he would like to take the number one tag off Root. “(He) got 100 more this week. No, he’s definitely one of the best players to ever play the game, if not the best player.”
But Brook believes he needs to do more to improve all aspects of his game.
“I’ve only played 23 games, so my stats may skyrocket soon!” he said “So I keep working hard to do my best and try to improve the parts that make me uncomfortable. Just keep trying. You can get better anytime, anywhere.”
“I really didn’t expect it at all,” Root said of Monday’s announcement. “I’m honored to be a part of this competition. It’s been such a great year for the sport, so to even be considered is quite humbling to be honest.
“I never expected it, but it’s something I’ve seen since I was a kid. I’m not sure how to sum it up.”
England are scheduled to meet in Hamilton on Wednesday ahead of the third Test. A number of players will leave Wellington on Monday for a separate trip to the inland city to explore New Zealand’s North Island.
