Harry Brook came on to bowl in the first hour of the morning session on day two of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, usurping Ollie Robinson as the first change bowler of the day.

The tactic was met by general disbelief among pundits and others watching, given the plethora of more mainstream options available for Ben Stokes to turn to. With two of Australia’s best batters at the crease, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, exploiting the new-ish ball to them was crucial.

Stuart Broad and James Anderson had opened proceedings up for the day, with Broad having taken two wickets in two balls shortly before Brook was thrown the ball. There were early morning clouds still covering Edgbaston, and the ball was still moving around, troubling the batters.

The conditions were ideal for Robinson or Stokes himself to extract some movement to make the breakthrough. If a change of pace was what Stokes was after, he had Moeen Ali or Joe Root to throw down an over or two of off-spin to mix things up. Instead, Stokes opted for Brook, who bowls what can only be described as right-arm slow medium. He did however get Kane Williamson out on England’s New Zealand tour so maybe there was method behind the madness. As ever with Stokes, trust the process.

The first ball he sent down to Steve Smith was short and barely touched 67 mph. The rest of the over passed in similar fashion, with only a single coming off it.

On commentary, Ricky Ponting was equally as confused as most watching the tactic.

Great exchange on Sky as Harry Brook comes on to bowl his outswingers to Steve Smith

Ponting: What is going on here?
Atherton: This is Bazball, Ricky

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) June 17, 2023

Smith crowed in the 14th over with Harry Brook into the attack with what Athers describes eloquently as a “filthy action”. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/XyKt19VkXj

— Mel Jones (@meljones_33) June 17, 2023

Harry Brook is bowling.#BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/z5umZMaqYW

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 17, 2023

Harry Brook coming on to bowl.

Watching Ben Stokes captain a side is like booking to hire a Ford Fiesta and being given a tank.

All unexpected, all totally mad.#bbccricket

— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) June 17, 2023

Despite Brook’s tidiness, his spell was a one over anomaly. Anderson continued from the Birmingham end the following over while Robinson finally picked up from Brook at the Pavillion End.

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