Runs galore in the first Test at Christchurch as England dominated the Black Caps and registered a thumping victory on the back of a breathtaking knock from Harry Brook. Brook's counter-attacking 171 set the foundation for an emphatic eight-wicket win in the second innings as England managed to chase down 104 in just under 15 overs.

After playing that match-winning innings, the 25-year-old Englishman has moved up by two spots to no.2 position in the ICC Test Batting rankings. And by doing so, the dazzling top-order English batsman has bridged the gap between him and Joe Root who is currently at the top of the table with a rating of 895. Moreover, after bettering his rating to 854, the difference between him and Root is now down to just 41.

See also: New Zealand receive another huge blow in WTC points table

Yashasvi Jaiswal loses his no.2 position to Harry Brook

Brook has emerged as someone who can go close to challenging Joe Root's dominance at the top. Jaiswal's heroics at Perth in the second innings (161) propelled the dashing opener to the second position. However, the considerable gap between the first and the second Test opened a window of opportunity for Brook to make some rapid gains.

Following Brook's blistering batting show in Hagley Oval, Jaiswal was displaced from the no.2 position and slipped two more spots down the rankings at no.4. The start Kiwi batter Kane Williamson managed to hold on to the third position by scoring an impressive 93 & 61 upon his comeback. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gains for the other batters

Apart from the ongoing BGT 2024-25 & England-New Zealand Test series, the recently concluded first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Durban also produced some extraordinary batting performances. 

The Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma led his side from the front by playing a gutsy innings of 70 on a difficult seaming wicket followed by a sensational ton in the second innings which virtually decided the match in his side's favor. On the back of that performance, Bavuma managed to break into the top 10 of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings.

Tristan Stubbs' brilliant 122 in the second innings catapulted him by 29 spots to no.42 position in the batting table. On the other hand, Dinesh Chandimal of Sri Lanka rose by two places to the 17th spot as a result of his resilient second-innings 83.

During the Multan Test between Pakistan and England, England cricketers Joe Root and Harry Brook set up a record fourth-wicket partnership in Test cricket history. 

After Pakistan chose to bat first in the three-match Test series opener, three centuries helped the hosts to score 556 runs. In reply, Joe Root and Harry Brook’s powerful batting led the visitors to score a mammoth total of 823/7 before the declaration with a lead of 267 runs. It was the fourth-highest total in Test cricket history. 

Root scored 262 runs off 375 balls and Brook scored 317 runs off 322 balls. They had a giant fourth-wicket partnership of 454 runs. 

SEE ALSO: Harry Brook records second fastest triple century in Test

Here are some records of the 454-run fourth-wicket partnership between Root and Brook. 

Broke a 90-year record

It was the highest partnership for any wicket by the visiting batters in Test cricket history. The previous record was a 451-run partnership for the second wicket between the Australian cricketers Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford against England at The Oval in 1934. 

Broke a 67-year record

It was the highest Test partnership for any wicket by the England batters. The previous record was a 411-run fourth-wicket partnership between Colin Cowdrey and Peter May against West Indies during the 1957 Birmingham Test.

Broke an almost nine-year record

It was the highest fourth-wicket partnership in Test cricket history. The previous record was the 449-run partnership by the Australian cricketers Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges against West Indies during the 2015 Hobart Test match.

First in the ICC World Test Championship history

It was the first 400+ partnership in the ICC World Test Championship history. The previous record partnership in this competition was a 369-run partnership for the fourth wicket between the New Zealand cricketers Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls against Pakistan in the 2021 Christchurch Test match. 

Fourth highest Test partnership

It was the fourth-highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket history. 

Highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket history

In the Multan Test, England cricketer Harry Brook fired up a triple century, which set a new record for the second fastest triple century in Test cricket history. 

Multan has brought a batting-friendly Test pitch for the first Pakistan vs England Test of the three-match Test series. Many experts have highly criticised the Test pitch.

After Pakistan scored 556 runs with the help of three centuries, England set up a strong reply. By scoring 823/7 declare in 150 overs, England have set up the Test match to produce a result. England declared their first innings with a lead of 267 runs. 

During England’s strong reply, former captain Joe Root scored 262 runs off 375 balls with the help of 17 fours. Meanwhile, Harry Brook scored 317 runs off 322 balls with the help of 29 fours and three sixes.

Second fastest Test 300

Brook completed his century in 310 balls. It was the second fastest Test triple century. The fastest record in this list is the triple hundred in 278 balls by Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag against South Africa at Chennai in March 2008. 

England batters

Brook became the sixth England batter to record a Test triple-century. However, after Wally Hammond and Andy Sandham, Brook became the third English cricketer to record a Test triple hundred outside the home country. 

England batters with triple centuries

ICC World Test Championship

Also, after the former Australian opener David Warner, Brook became the only second cricketer to record a triple century in the ICC World Test Championship history. During the 2019 Adelaide Test against Pakistan, Warner scored 335 not out.

So, Brook records the highest individual score by a foreign batter in the ICC World Test Championship history. In the same innings, while Root scored 262 runs, he stands in second place in the list of the highest individual score by a foreign batter in the ICC World Test Championship history. Root was also the previous record holder in this list with 228 against the hosts Sri Lanka during the 2021 Galle Test. 

Visiting batters in Pakistan

Brook also became the third overseas batter to score a Test triple-century in Pakistan. He now holds the record for the second-highest individual Test score by a visiting batter in Pakistan. 

Visiting batters with triple centuries in Pakistan

English stand-in ODI captain Harry Brook’s century ended Australia’s ODI winning streak. In the rain-interrupted Chester-le-Street ODI match against Australia, England made a comeback in the home ODI series after winning the match by 46 runs in the DLS method. 

Leading the five-match ODI series by 2-0 after the first two matches, Australia were sent to bat first in the third ODI. Steven Smith (60 off 82 balls), Cameron Green (42 off 49 balls), Alex Carrey (77 not out off 65 balls), Glenn Maxwell (30 off 25 balls), and Aaron Hardie (44 off 26 balls) helped Australia score 304/7 at the end of 50 overs.

In reply, England lost both openers in the first three overs when the hosts scored only 11 runs. Will Jacks and the stand-in skipper Harry Brook controlled the innings and set up a 156-run partnership for the third wicket. While Jacks scored 84 off 82 balls, Brook recorded his maiden ODI century.

Before the rain interruption, England scored 254/4 in 37.4 overs. The hosts ultimately won that ODI by 46 runs (DLS method) and made the series 2-1 after the third ODI. England must win the last two matches to win this ODI series, while another win will be enough for the visitors Australia to seal the series.  

SEE ALSO: Jaiswal targets to join elite 1000 run club in 2024 Test journey

Youngest English captain with an ODI century

With his match-winning 110 not out off 94 balls, which he scored at the age of 25 years and 215 days, Harry Brook became the youngest English captain to record an ODI century. Sir Alastair Cook (26 years and 190 days) was the previous record holder in this list, which he recorded in 2011. 

Top 5 youngest English captain’s maiden ODI centuries

Second most consecutive ODI wins stopped

On the other hand, before this ODI match, Australia already secured the second-most successive ODI wins by recording 14 straight victories. Their consecutive ODI winning journey started during the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 in India, when the Aussies beat Sri Lanka by five wickets at Lucknow. After Australia won the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, they also won the home ODI series against the West Indies by 3-0 last February. 

After winning the first two matches of the ongoing series against the hosts England, Australia finally suffered an ODI defeat. 

By winning 14 straight ODIs, Australia settled the new record for the second most consecutive ODI wins for a team. 

Most consecutive ODI wins for a team 

England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the five-match home ODI series against Australia due to a right calf injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named a new captain for the upcoming home ODI series. 

On Sunday (September 15), the ECB announced the 15-member full ODI squad for the upcoming home ODI series against Australia. Trent Bridge will host the five-match ODI series opener on September 19.  

SEE ALSO: India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill to miss Bangladesh T20 Series

Harry Brook will lead the England team against Australia in the upcoming ODI series

As injured Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the upcoming home five-match ODI series against Australia, the ECB named the 25-year-old Harry Brook as the captain for the forthcoming ODI series. It will be the first time that Brook will lead the English cricket team in any international cricket match. 

Brook led the English U19 cricket team during the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018. Under his leadership, the England U19 team reached the Super League quarter-finals where they lost against Australia U19 and then finished in seventh place. 

It's going to be a great opportunity for Brooky to be the captain: Jos Buttler

English white-ball skipper Jos Buttler is excited about Brook’s leadership.

Buttler said, according to ESPNcricinfo, "It's going to be a great opportunity for Brooky to be the captain. He is a pretty laid-back character, but I think he has everything in line. He is a really good thinker about it... I'm sure he'll do that his own way, and he'll get a feel for those moments [in games]. That's what we're encouraging everyone as a side - whether that's a player or a captain - is to try and identify those moments that you think can go a long way to you winning the game and going for it and committing to it."

Meanwhile, the left-arm pacer Josh Hull, who just made his Test debut during The Oval Test against Sri Lanka, will also miss the upcoming home ODI series due to a quad injury. 

The 31-year-old English batting all-rounder Liam Livingstone has been included in the 15-member ODI squad that will face Australia at home. He last played an ODI in December 2023 at Bridgetown. In his 25 ODIs, Livingstone has scored 558 runs, including three half-centuries, and has picked up 17 wickets. 

England's full squad for the five-match home ODI series against Australia

Harry Brook (C), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner.

England made a stunning comeback in the second Test at Trent Bridge against the West Indies. For the first time in Test cricket history, England scored over 400 runs in both innings of a match.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. England scored 416 in their first innings, led by a century from Ollie Pope and other solid contributions. The West Indies then fought back, scoring 457 in their first innings to take a lead.

In response, England scored over 400 runs again in their second innings, reducing the deficit. Centuries from Harry Brook (109) and Joe Root (122) gave England a lead of over 350 runs.

Joe Root’s record-breaking performance at Trent Bridge

Joe Root hit his 32nd Test century, including his sixth against the West Indies and his fifth at Trent Bridge. He reached this milestone in just 260 innings, with only Alastair Cook ahead of him among English players.

Historically, teams have scored over 400 runs in a Test innings 12 times. England has been on the receiving end five times. Australia has done it six times, India three times, and South Africa, Pakistan, and England once each.

Australia achieved this six times between 1924 and 2008. South Africa did it against England in Durban in 1939. India scored over 400 against Pakistan in 2005, Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad in 2009, and England in 2024. Pakistan did it against India in Faisalabad in 2006. Recently, England achieved this against the West Indies in the second Test.

Historic achievement for England in Test cricket

England has set a target of 385 runs for the West Indies at Trent Bridge. After being bowled out for 425, England made a remarkable comeback after initially being overtaken by the West Indies’ first innings score. The West Indies need 385 runs to win with one and a half days left.

England sets a challenging target for West Indies

It’s a tough challenge for the West Indies batters. Despite their first Test win, England is still at the bottom of the WTC points table, while the West Indies are sixth. England’s win could move them above South Africa in the standings.

Jayden Seals took 4-97, while Alzarri Joseph claimed 2-103. Shamar Joseph, Jason Holder, and Kevin Sinclair each took a wicket.

Harry Brook is growing in stature with every game. His ability to perform in tough situations, especially in Test cricket, is impressive. In the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge, he scored a brilliant century off just 118 balls. When he came to bat, England was at 140-3 with a lead of nearly 100. From the moment he started, he looked confident and played some beautiful shots.

Brook reached his fifty late on Day 3 and completed his century in the first session of Day 4. This is his fifth Test century and his first one at home, making it extra special. After reaching his century, he shared a warm hug with Joe Root, highlighting the camaraderie between the players.

Watch Harry Brook’s Century

Brook is surely a player to watch in the coming years.In this match, Brook was joined by the ever-reliable Joe Root. Root also reached his fifty, marking his 63rd half-century and tying with cricket legends Allan Border and Rahul Dravid. England’s lead has now surged over 250, putting them in a strong position.

Despite losing a lead of 41 earlier, England has regained control of the game. Brook’s performance has been a significant factor in this turnaround. His ability to deliver under pressure and his partnership with Root have been crucial.Brook’s growing presence and consistent performance make him a key player for England. His contributions in this Test match showcase his talent and promise for the future.

Delhi Capitals have brought in South African fast bowler Lizaad Williams to fill in for Harry Brook, who had to step back from IPL 2024 due to his grandmother’s passing away.

Williams is set to make his IPL debut after being signed by the Capitals for a base price of INR 50 lakh. His addition will strengthen the team’s pace attack, which already includes players like Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Jhye Richardson, and Mukesh Kumar. Additionally, the team boasts two pace-bowling all-rounders in Mitchell Marsh and Sumit Kumar.

Notably, Lungi Ngidi, another South African pacer in the Capitals’ squad, has opted out of the tournament to focus on his recovery from a lower-back injury sustained during the SA20 earlier in the year.

Lizaad Williams joins Delhi Capitals

With 106 wickets from 83 T20 matches at an average of 19.76, Williams brings a wealth of experience to the Capitals. He made his debut for South Africa in April 2022 and has since represented the country in two Tests, four ODIs, and 11 T20Is. Williams was also part of South Africa’s squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he featured in a match against Bangladesh.

See Also: How much do the IPL captains earn? Find it out

His joining impacts the team

His recent performance in the SA20 league, where he claimed 15 wickets for Joburg Super Kings, demonstrates his form and potential impact in the IPL. Williams’ arrival comes at a crucial time for the Capitals, as Mitchell Marsh is sidelined due to a hamstring injury, which is expected to keep him out of action for at least a week.

Currently positioned at the bottom of the points table with four defeats in five matches, the Capitals are hopeful that Williams’ inclusion will provide the boost they need to turn their fortunes around in the tournament.

Harry Brook has decided to step back from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to personal reasons, leaving Delhi Capitals in search of a replacement. The England batsman, bought for INR 4 crore by Delhi Capitals, made this tough call just ahead of the league’s start on March 22.

Brook’s absence extends beyond the IPL as he was also absent from recent England team events. Initially lined up for the Test series in India, he withdrew from the squad last minute, with the England team management and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) requesting privacy for him and his family.

Harry Brook’s decision and its ramifications

The trend of English players withdrawing for personal reasons has caused frustration among IPL franchises, who feel such sudden pullouts disrupt their plans made during auctions. They are considering raising this issue with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“A player should honor their commitment once they register for the auction. Going back on it is unprofessional, and the BCCI should address this,” voiced a franchise official. This isn’t the first time such withdrawals have occurred; players like Alex Hales, Jason Roy, and Mitchell Starc have cited similar reasons in the past.

See Also: Dhoni’s new look before IPL kick-off goes viral on social media

Delhi Capital is searching for his replacement

Attempts to contact Delhi Capitals officials for comment were unsuccessful, but they are actively seeking a replacement. Brook played a significant role in the Bazball style under the current management of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum in the England team.

However, his IPL performance last year was below expectations. Despite being bought by SunRisers Hyderabad for INR 13.25 crore in 2023, he managed only 190 runs at an average of 21. As a result, the franchise released him before the auction, where Delhi Capitals secured him for INR 4 crore.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta has shared his assessment of KL Rahul taking on the wicketkeeping responsibilities for India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Dasgupta acknowledges Rahul’s considerable skills as a keeper but notes his lack of experience in donning the gloves in Indian playing conditions.

India has included three keepers, KL Rahul, KS Bharat, and Dhruv Jurel, in the squad for the Test series against England, sparking speculation about who will take on the wicketkeeping duties. While Rahul kept wickets in the Test series against South Africa, it remains uncertain if he will continue in the same role against England. Wicket-keeping in India poses unique challenges due to the sharp spin of the balls, making it a crucial aspect of the game.

Challenges Ahead: KL Rahul’s Transition to Test Wicketkeeping in Indian Conditions

Despite Rahul not having kept wickets in Indian conditions, Dasgupta cautions against underestimating his batting prowess. Dasgupta rejects the notion that Rahul is a part-time keeper, highlighting his role as India’s wicketkeeper in the ODI World Cup. However, he points out the challenge of keeping in Tests, emphasizing the importance of experience and repetition.

Dasgupta emphasizes that Rahul has not kept wickets against spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, presenting a significant challenge. He underscores the demanding nature of keeping in India, especially against spinners, and emphasizes the need for consistent concentration throughout the day. Dasgupta suggests that mastering the role requires extensive practice.

See Also:“I think he’ll establish himself completely in Indian Test team” – Sunil Gavaskar lauds Yashasvi Jaiswal

Recent reports indicating the team management’s preference for KS Bharat as the wicketkeeper in the Test series against England, expressing reservations about Rahul’s suitability for the role, add a layer of uncertainty to the situation.