England white-ball captain Harry Brook saved the national team from humiliation with his batting performance during the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand. Brook scored his career-best century for England in the ODI format at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, 26 October.
The captain came to the crease when England had lost three wickets for five runs. Jamie Smith was dismissed by Matt Henry on the very first ball, followed by Ben Duckett and Joe Root cheaply in bowler-friendly conditions. England lost its fourth wicket for 10 runs and then its six wickets fell for 56 runs.
Harry Brook’s brilliant century saved England from humiliation
Harry Brook was supported by Jamie Overton, the only other batsman to reach double figures. Brook escaped a difficult spot on 63 when Rachin Ravindra took a low catch. The captain made important partnerships with the tail batsmen and took England beyond 200 runs.
Brook punished the loose balls and brought up his second ODI century with several fours, including three consecutive sixes. The right-handed batsman reached triple figures in just 82 balls.
Brook scored 135 runs with the help of 19 fours and 11 sixes in 101 balls at a strike rate of 133.66. Considering the poor start, England made a good score of 223 runs.
Harry Brook broke records with his best innings against New Zealand
Harry Brook crossed the 1,000-run mark in the ODI format at a strike rate of 103.86. The right-handed batsman achieved this feat in just 33 innings. He also recorded the second highest score by an England captain while batting as a non-opening batsman.
Brook recorded the second highest individual score by an England batsman against the Blackcaps on New Zealand soil. He came close to breaking Jonny Bairstow’s record before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner in the 36th over.
He hit 11 sixes, making him fourth in the list of most sixes hit in an England ODI innings. Eoin Morgan tops the charts with 17 sixes, while Jos Buttler is at the second and third positions with 14 and 12 sixes respectively.
Brook recorded his eighth fifty plus score and fourth century in 12 innings.
Harry Brook recorded his eighth half-century and fourth century in 12 innings across all formats. New Zealand’s bowlers attacked with discipline and relentlessness.
For New Zealand, Jack Foulkes took four wickets for 41 runs, while Jacob Duffy managed to take three wickets, but conceded 55 runs in six overs, largely due to Brook.
In reply, the New Zealand team faltered in the beginning and lost four wickets for just 66 runs in 11.2 overs. Former captain Kane Williamson was out on a golden duck. Brydon Carse took three wickets and Luke Wood took one wicket, putting the hosts under a lot of pressure.
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