Sir Geoffrey Boycott, former England star has hailed Harry Brook for his magnificent knock of 171 in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Boycott said that Brook is one of those rare players who can hold the attention of the audience and leave them spellbound.
The Yorkshireman reached his century in Christchurch in just 123 balls, sealing it with a boundary off Tim Southee. His brilliant innings of 171 was the centerpiece of England's formidable first-innings total of 499.
''When Harry Brook decides to tee off, everybody watches. He has charm and charisma that empties bars and stops people going to the toilet. Harry Brook can succeed against the two best teams in world cricket, India and Australia, as long as he picks his moments and does not let ego get the better of common sense'', he wrote in a column for The Telegraph.
"If high-quality fast bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have a new ball, then give them respect and play sensibly. With runs behind his name and when the ball is a bit older, if Harry goes into overdrive there is more chance of him winning the duel'', he further added.
It was also a career-best show as Brydon Carse took figures of 6 for 42, making him the first England seamer to bag a ten-wicket haul in an overseas Test since 16 years. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell cemented the win with his first-ever unbeaten fifty as England trounced New Zealand with eight wickets in the opening Test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Daryl Mitchell batted doggedly with a spirited knock of 84 off 167 balls, scoring 45 runs in a determined tenth-wicket partnership with Will O'Rourke. However, New Zealand's target of 104 was easily overhauled by England, who completed it in just 12.4 overs.