Joe Root has praised Harry Brook as "by far and away the best player in the world" after the 25-year-old hit back-to-back centuries in the first two Tests of England's series in New Zealand.
Brook hit 123 and 55 in England's series-winning victory in Wellington over the weekend, coming off the back of his 171 in the opening Test match of the series. The first innings at the Basin Reserve marked Brook's eighth Test century, with Brook now having played 23 Test matches since his debut in September 2022. It was also his third century of the winter, his 317 in Multan in October having secured England a famous win during their series in Pakistan.
Speaking after England completed their win on the third day in Wellington, Root - who scored his 36th Test century during the morning session - said: "Brookie is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute... I'm trying to catch him, but he's too good, isn't he? He's obviously one of the best players, if not the best players, to have ever played the game. It's mega to play with him and he's awesome to watch."
Harry Brook scored his seventh overseas Test hundred today, already putting him in the company of greats 💥
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 6, 2024
READ: https://t.co/5yNXTroyQq#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/YeJyxev3IZ
Since Brook's debut, he and Root have shared a successful partnership in England's middle order. They've scored 1,779 runs while batting together in that period at an average of 77.34. They are England's most successful partnership since Brook's debut, and no other partnership in the world has scored as many runs as they have in that time period.
"To be able to construct an innings like that [in Wellington] off the back of another exceptional hundred the week before, with such an all-round game - he can absorb pressure, he can apply it," said Root. "He can whack you over your head for six. He can scoop you over his head for six. He can smack spin. He can smack seam."
Root and Brook currently occupy positions one and two respectively on the ICC's Test batting rankings. Root has a rating of 895, while Brook has a rating of 854, with Kane Williamson the third placed batter with 830.
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