Harry Brook scored his eighth Test century and third in New Zealand today (December 6) on the first day of England's second Test against the Black Caps in Wellington. Now with seven Test centuries outside England, his overseas record in the format rivals the greats.
Brook's hundred came at a key time for England, after they lost four wickets in the morning session having been put in to bat. He came in after New Zealand's seamers had dominated in the morning, finding prodigious movement which accounted for England's top four. As the movement through the air lessened and the ball became duller, Brook capitalised.
He reached his 50 shortly before Lunch, off just 47 balls, and quickly found his rhythm again after, pumping Nathan Smith for a brutal six over extra-cover in the third over of the session. Matt Henry came in for similar treatment and, unlike his century in the first Test in Christchurch, this was a relatively chanceless innings, little capable of stopping his advances. His only vulnerable period was when he entered the 90s and had less of the strike. Nevertheless, he reached three figures with a single through point off 91 balls.
It was Brook's eighth Test century overall, now two years and two months post Test debut. In the time period Brook has been playing Test cricket, only Kane Williamson has as many centuries, and only Joe Root has passed 50 as many times (17). The century in Wellington was his third in New Zealand, all of them coming in his last four innings in the country - that puts him level with nine other visiting batters for the most Test hundreds in New Zealand.
Harry Brook has now scored eight Test hundreds.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 6, 2024
This is just his 23rd Test.#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/Snd6Fq2wE6
Brook is also now joint-third with Ian Botham on the list of players with the most Test centuries for England before turning 26. Looking at the two players above him (Alastair Cook 15, and Joe Root 11), each had four years between making their debut and turning 26, playing 63 and 53 Tests in that time respectively, in comparison to Brook's 23 in two years.
Where Brook's numbers really stand out, however, is in the difference in them in and outside of England. At home, Brook averages 38.05. Away from home, that number leaps to 91.50. Of batters who played at least 10 innings away from home, the only one with a superior average to Brook's is Don Bradman (102.84). There is a significant drop below Brook to Ken Barrington, who averaged 69.18 outside of England.
Of batters who scored the same or fewer Test centuries away from home than Brook has already, they count AB de Villiers, Ian Botham and Graham Gooch among their number. The only point to factor in to Brook's success away from home so far is that his runs have come exclusively in Pakistan and New Zealand, and he has yet to tour India (having missed England's tour earlier this year) and Australia, who await next year.
Nevertheless, still so early in his career, Brook's overseas numbers haven't faded into the background after a fast start. His performances away from home have been consistently excellent, and they've given him numbers which already rival some of the greats.
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