Harry Brook smashed a 69-ball hundred for Yorkshire on return to cricket after an extended personal break.

Brook had been out of action since January after having withdrawn from England’s Test tour of India and the IPL because of personal reasons. He made a comeback to professional cricket recently in a pre-season friendly between Yorkshire and Durham last week where he scored 74 off 42. Now, in his first recognised game back since the break, Brook has started off with a fine hundred.

A 12th first-class century for Harry Brook on his return to professional cricket 👏

It took him just 69-balls with 14 boundaries.#CountyChampionship pic.twitter.com/VemkTJTjTI

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 8, 2024

In Yorkshire’s first round fixture against Leicestershire at Leeds, the home team put the opposition into bat after winning the toss. The visitors scored 354 in the first innings after recovering from 177-7.

In response, Adam Lyth scored a run-a-ball hundred at the top for Yorkshire while captain Shan Masood registered a duck. Brook came out to bat at No.5 with the score reading 73-3.

Keeping in line with the naturally aggressive style of play that has brought him success so far, Brook smashed a four and a six inside the first ten balls he faced, making his intentions clear. In the 24th over of the innings, he hit Scott Currie for a four and two sixes, and reached fifty off just 35 balls in the 29th over.

Brook was harsh on his England teammate Rehan Ahmed as well, hitting five fours of his bowling. He reached his hundred off the 69th ball he faced, nudging a single off Ben Mike. Yorkshire declared immediately after at the score of 264-6.

It was Brook’s 12th first-class hundred, four of which have come for England at the Test level. The knock included 14 fours and two sixes.

Leicestershire started their second innings with a lead of 90 and reached 26-0 before rain stopped play.

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