Joe Root has labeled England team-mate Harry Brook “by far the best player in the world”, while Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton says he is “without a doubt” I believe it is the root. So who is that person?
Brook hit 123 off 115 balls against New Zealand in England’s series-clinching 323-run win in three days in Wellington to rescue his team from 43-4 on the first morning. It was his second successive century in the series after scoring 300 on the recent tour of Pakistan.
It is a form that has lifted Brook to second place in the Test batting rankings, second only to Root, where he recorded his sixth Test ton on day three at the Basin Reserve in 2024, his 19th since 2021 and his 36th overall. Rahul Dravid ranks fifth all-time among the most prolific century creators in the history of the game.
Do you support the best in the world? Athers: Without a doubt, yes.
When asked if Root is currently the best player in the world, Atherton responded with a resounding yes.
“He is right now, without a doubt,” he said. Sky Sports News. “He’s played 19 Tests since 2021, which is 10 more than the next best player (Kane Williamson).
“It’s been an incredible run of form, he’s very beautiful and he’s playing his best.
“The scores here came courtesy of Brooke’s 100 and previous efforts from Jacob Bethell (96) and Ben Duckett (92), so it wasn’t the toughest score he’s ever scored, but he’s still got to go. Go out there and get it. Joe does that every day. He’s incredibly consistent.
“He is an unbelievable player. There are some very exciting young players in the team like Brooke and Bethell, but Root is still the best in England.”
Brooke’s ‘Very Far Away’ World’s Best – Route
But Root believes Brook has snatched the role from him and praises his fellow Yorkshireman as the best in the business.
Root scored his 36th Test ton in Wellington, taking him joint-fifth with Rahul Dravid among the most prolific century-makers in the game.
“If you ask me, Brooky is the best player in the world right now,” Root said.
“He has a versatile game. He can absorb pressure, he can apply it, he can hit you over a six, he can scoop you over a six, he can hit spin, he can hit the seam. there is.
“That guy is so hard to bowl.”
Brook’s brilliance led him to eight Test centuries in just 23 Tests and 38 innings for England. This was a pace bettered only by the great Denis Compton, and his 2,280 points over that period are unrivaled.
Man-of-the-match Brook scored his second successive century in the series to rescue England at 43-4 in the first innings.
His average of 61.62 is the third highest ever for a batsman with at least 20 innings, behind only the great Sir Don Bradman and fellow Australian Adam Voges, jumping to an average of 91.50 in Tests away from home.
Brooke still believes Root is the man to win.
“I’m trying to catch him, but isn’t he too nice?” he said
“He got another 100 points this week and he’s definitely one of the best players to ever play the game, if not the best player. It’s huge to play with him and he’s just awesome to watch.”
“I’ve only played 22 or 23 games so my stats could skyrocket soon. I’m just trying to stay in as good shape as possible, work hard in net and try to improve where I feel uncomfortable, I can do that at any time. Get better.”
Stokes praises ‘phenomenal’ Brooke
Captain Ben Stokes was full of praise for the “phenomenal” Brook after his side thrashed New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington.
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Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain recalls Brook’s blistering first innings on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand.
“To sit on a winning team from 40 on day one to day four and halfway through day three is pretty special,” Stokes said.
“In cricket terms, that pitch was what we call the snake pit. There was a lot going on.
“Brooky is a phenomenal player, no one has the right to score 120 runs on that wicket against the New Zealand attack.
“There are only a few players in the world who can go out and play like him and I’m happy to have him on our team.”
