Joe Root has labelled England team-mate Harry Brook “by far and away the best player in the world”, whereas Sky Sports activities’ Michael Atherton believes it’s “unquestionably” Root – so who’s it?
Brook hit 123 off 115 balls in opposition to New Zealand in England’s series-clinching 323-run win inside three days at Wellington, rescuing the workforce from 43-4 on the primary morning. It was his second successive century of the sequence, following sizzling on the heels of a triple-hundred on the current tour of Pakistan.
It’s kind that has taken Brook to No 2 within the Check batting rankings, second solely to Root, who notched a sixth Check ton in 2024 on day three on the Basin Reserve, a nineteenth since 2021 and a thirty sixth for his profession, seeing him tie Rahul Dravid for fifth all-time among the many sport’s most prolific century makers.
Root one of the best on the planet? Athers: Unquestionably so
Requested if Root was the sport’s finest participant on the planet proper now, Atherton emphatically answered within the affirmative.
“He is right now, unquestionably,” he advised Sky Sports activities Information. “Nineteen Check tons of since 2021, that is 10 greater than the following finest [Kane Williamson].
“It is an unimaginable run of kind. He’s enjoying fairly superbly and at his very best.
“The runs right here have been on the again of that hundred from Brook and earlier efforts from Jacob Bethell (96) and Ben Duckett (92), in order that they weren’t the hardest runs he’ll ever rating however you have nonetheless bought to exit and get them – and Joe does that day in, time out. He is extremely constant.
“He is an unbelievable player. There are other very exciting young players in the team, like Brook and Bethell, but Root is still England’s best.”
Brook ‘by far and away’ world’s finest – Root
Root, nonetheless, believes Brook has taken that mantle from him, hailing his fellow Yorkshireman as one of the best within the enterprise.
“If you asked me, Brooky is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute,” Root mentioned.
“He has such an all-round game: he can absorb pressure, he can apply it, he can whack you over your head for six, he can scoop you over his head for six, he can smack spin, he can smack seam.
“He is so arduous to bowl to.”
Brook’s brilliance has taken him to eight Test centuries in only 23 Tests for England and 38 innings, a rapid rate bettered only by the great Denis Compton, while his 2,280 runs in that span is unrivalled.
Participant-of-the-match Brook notched a second successive century within the sequence to rescue England from 43-4 within the first innings
His common of 61.62 is the third-highest in historical past of batters to have performed at the very least 20 innings, behind the good Sir Don Bradman and fellow Australian Adam Voges, whereas in Exams away from house that common leaps to an astonishing 91.50.
All that mentioned, Brook nonetheless believes Root is the person to beat.
“I’m trying to catch him, but he’s too good, isn’t he?” he mentioned.
“He’s got another hundred this week and he’s obviously one of the best players, if not the best player, to have ever played the game. It’s mega to play with him and he’s awesome to watch.
“I’ve solely performed 22 or 23 video games, so these stats can quickly come hovering down. I am simply attempting to maintain on getting pretty much as good as I can, working arduous within the nets and enhancing areas which are uncomfortable. You’ll be able to at all times get higher.”
Stokes hails ‘phenomenal’ Brook
Captain Ben Stokes heaped praise on the “phenomenal” Brook after his facet’s hammering of New Zealand within the second Check in Wellington.
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Sky Sports activities’ Nasser Hussain displays on Brook’s blistering first-innings ton on day one of many second Check in opposition to New Zealand
“From 40-odd for four on day one, to be sat here on the winning side halfway through day three, is pretty special,” Stokes mentioned
“In cricket terms, that pitch was what we call a snake pit… it was doing plenty.
“Brooky is simply phenomenal. No-one has a proper to exit and rating 120 on that wicket, in opposition to the assault that New Zealand have.
“There are only a few players in the world who could go out and play like he did and I’m glad he’s in our team.”
