England’s first triple centurion since 1990. Second quickest triple hundred EVER. Highest partnership for England EVER.
It was a momentous and monumental week for Harry Brook, as he and his England team-mates smashed through records in the first Test of the Series against Pakistan, in Multan.
Having conceded 500 in the first innings and losing their skipper early in the reply, the tea leaves didn’t look promising for the visitors, with travelling supporters sensing an all too familiar sense of foreboding and dread.
But this is an England team under Brendon McCullum, made of all together sterner stuff; a prized steak compared to a quarter pounder with cheese.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett batted like the T20 blasters-in-Test-clothing that they are, before Brook and fellow Yorkshireman Joe Root, joined forces.
Root in fact had a 90 run lead on Brook when he met him at the crease, and as the former notched a century to become England’s all-time leading Test run scorer, the latter set about dismantling a Pakistan attack containing some of the world’s best.
Harry’s hundred was classic Brook; into the forties before anyone had noticed, crashing his way nonchalantly into the 90s before completing the job with aplomb from 118 deliveries.
The job however, was only just beginning.
One criticism of England’s batters was the lack of big “Daddy” hundreds. Little did we know we were getting ready for Giant Haystacks, The Dynamite Kid and Big Daddy all rolled into one.
The double century came off 245 balls and contained 18 fours and a single six. The final ton, with eyes on a declaration for England and desolation for Pakistan, came from just 65, with 10 boundaries and two maximums.
Once 300 was reached, only one question remained; was Brian Lara’s world record of 400 in danger of being surpassed.
It looked on as Brook made his way to 317, before a top edged sweep - born of tiredness from days of batting in the sweltering sun - was taken and the dream was dashed.
Triple hundreds are rarified air reached by few, but the way Brook bats against any attack, you wouldn’t bet against him getting another opportunity.
The same ground and likely the same pitch are ready for the second Test. It appears no record is safe with England and Harry Brook in this sort of form.
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