Brook cherishes profitable feeling after home-ground heroics
Harry Brook described a three-wicket victory towards Australia at his dwelling floor Headingley as his greatest Test win for England, after his innings of 75 off 93 balls underpinned their profitable run chase on the fourth day.
Having batted at No. 3 within the first innings, deputising for the injured Ollie Pope, Brook returned to his customary No. 5 spot in England’s second innings. They wanted an additional 158 runs to win with seven wickets remaining when he walked out, however the lack of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow both aspect of lunch left him because the final specialist batter standing.
Brook added 59 in 73 balls in partnership with Chris Woakes, mentioning a 67-ball half-century and surviving a short-ball barrage from Australia’s seamers. He did finally fall to a bumper, top-edging Mitchell Starc to cowl, then watched anxiously from the dressing room as Mark Wood joined Woakes to tug England over the road.
Asked on Channel Nine how England’s win in comparison with earlier victories he had been part of, Brook mentioned: “I think that tops it to be honest. To do it in the Ashes, at home on my home ground as well, it was very good… it hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will after a few drinks.”
He admitted to having “a little blow-up” within the altering room after his dismissal, with 21 runs nonetheless required, however solely needed to wait 14 balls for Woakes to hit the profitable runs by means of cover-point and provides England their first victory in a males’s Ashes Test since 2019.
“It’s a lot more nerve-wracking when you’re sat up there than in the middle,” he informed Sky Sports. “I’m not one to blow up when I get in the changing room but I had a little blow-up today. I like getting us over the line and yeah, it was annoying that I didn’t today, but I’m happy we won.
“Everybody [in the dressing room] erupted. We solely wanted about 20 runs, and I had full and utter religion in Woakesy and Woody. It was tense for a short time however when Woody hit that six, we type of knew it was on.”
He added: “Me and Woakesy have been simply attempting to construct a partnership there, simply attempting to go down in fives: we acquired it right down to 40 and we mentioned, ‘Let’s attempt to get it right down to 35’; then, ‘Let’s attempt to get it right down to 30.’ Then clearly I acquired out, which made it a bit extra nerve-wracking.
“[Woakes] has been a phenomenal player for England. Obviously, he hasn’t played as much in the last couple years but to have him back in the side and play a vital part like he has done there is really good.”
Brook performed tentatively within the first innings, edging Pat Cummins to second slip for 3, and mentioned his dismissal prompted him to recommit to his attacking instincts within the second innings. “In the last couple of innings, I feel like I’ve got out being stuck on the crease a little bit,” he mentioned. “I feel like I’m at my best when I’m looking to score and put pressure on the bowler.
“I used to be attempting to be a bit extra aggressive right this moment. I hate it once I nick off once I get caught on the crease, so I’d fairly get caught at second slip taking part in an enormous drive to be sincere, however I’m glad I acquired just a few.”
His return to No. 5 owed to Moeen Ali, who approached Brendon McCullum and asked to be promoted on the third evening. “He got here as much as Brendon and mentioned, ‘I need to have a crack at No. 3 and take these guys on,'” Ben Stokes explained. “It wasn’t essentially a free hit for us however I cherished that, within the strain of a chase, he wished to exit and ship for the workforce.”
Brook admitted that he preferred the switch, though Stokes hinted that it is unlikely to be a permanent solution. “I’ve batted No. 5 for the final 4 or 5 years of my profession, whether or not it is with England or Yorkshire, so I most likely really feel most snug there,” he said. “But I’m completely satisfied to simply be within the XI.”
He has played for Yorkshire since Under-13 level and has spent many years compiling a strong record at Headingley, but this was Brook’s first international match at his home ground in any format. “That’s most likely the perfect half, to be sincere,” he informed Sky Sports.
“I’ll know lots of people on the market within the crowd and to have performed it in entrance of the house crowd is very nice. It at all times is [loud], whether or not it is a T20 Blast sport or an England Test match. They’re at all times good right here. But that’s the worst half about being knowledgeable cricketer: each single individual messages you asking for a ticket.”
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98