NZ v Eng 2024-25 – Joe Root – Harry Brook is ‘by far the best player in the world’

Brooks’ opening day effort, which reached three figures in 91 deliveries (the second fastest of his career), came in challenging conditions, dragging England to 280 in just 54.5 overs, with at one point having 26 for 3. The tourists were then able to dismiss New Zealand for 125, establishing a 155-run lead that Root’s 106 would eventually take to a mammoth 582. In reply, New Zealand could only he musters 259 in just 54.2 overs.

“Brooky is by far the best player in the world right now,” said Root, following Brook’s exploits in New Zealand.

“He can absorb pressure, he can apply it. He can hit you in the head for six. He can lift you over his head for six. He can hit the spin. He can hit the seam.

“It’s so difficult to bowl and it fits with someone like Pope [174 for the fifth wicket in the first innings]who is very busy and scoring in complicated areas, [which] makes it very difficult to stop the flow of races. “I think they played exceptionally well together.”

Brook returned the compliment to Root, who has the chance to surpass his best mark of six centuries from the previous calendar year (2021) in this Saturday’s third and final Test in Hamilton.

“I’m trying to catch him, but he’s too good, isn’t he?” Brook said, when asked if he would like to take the number one tag from Root. “[He] Got another hundred this week. No, he’s obviously one of the best players, if not the best, to ever play the game.”

Brook, however, insists on keeping his feet on the ground and believes he has more work to do to improve all aspects of his game.

“I’ve only played 23 games, so the stats could soon go down!” said. “So I’m trying to continue being the best I can and working hard at the nets and improving the areas that are uncomfortable. I’m really moving forward. You can always improve everywhere.”

“I really wasn’t expecting that at all,” Root said of Monday’s announcement. “I guess it’s an honor for me to be involved in this. You know, it’s been a wonderful year for sports, so to even be considered is humbling, to be honest.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything, but it’s something I’ve seen as a kid. I don’t really know how to sum it up.”

England will meet in Hamilton on Wednesday ahead of the third Test. Several players left Wellington on Monday to explore New Zealand’s North Island and will travel separately to the inland city.