Former England Test captain Joe Root has praised his teammate Harry Brook and called the 25-year-old the best batsman in the world today. Root’s comments came after Brook’s brilliant 123 off 115 balls against New Zealand in Wellington, an innings that proved vital to England’s series-clinching 323-run win.

Root did not hold back his admiration for Brook, stating: “If you ask me, Brooky is by far the best player in the world at the moment. He’s got a very well-rounded game: He can absorb pressure, he can apply pressure, he can hit you in the head for six, he can pick you up in the head for six, he can spin, he can hit seams. It is very difficult to bowl.”

Brook’s last hundred, scored on a challenging pitch that England captain Ben Stokes described as a “snake pit”, came when the team was in dire straits at 43/4 on the first morning. His counter-attacking innings not only rescued England but also demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure against world-class bowling.

Stokes was equally effusive in his praise, calling Brook “phenomenal.”

The England captain commented: “From 40-odd for four on day one, to be sitting here on the winning side halfway through day three, it’s pretty special. In cricket terms, that pitch was what we call a snake pit… he was doing a lot. Brooky is just phenomenal. Nobody has the right to go out and score 120 on that wicket against the attack that New Zealand has. “There are only a few players in the world who could go out and play like him, and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Also Read: RCB Star gets central contract from national team after excellent start to international career

Brook’s century in Wellington followed a stellar career that included another hundred in Christchurch and an impressive triple century in Multan. These performances have catapulted him to second place in the ICC Test batting rankings, only behind Root. With a batting average of 61.62 in 23 Tests and eight centuries to his name, Brook has become a key cog in the England Test team.

Despite his meteoric rise, Brook remains steadfast.

Reflecting on his achievements and Root’s compliment, he said: “I’m trying to catch him, but he’s too good, isn’t he? “He has another hundred this week and he is obviously one of the best players, if not the best, to ever play the game.”

Brook continued: “He’s great to play with and amazing to watch. I’ve only played 22 or 23 games, so those stats may soon plummet. I’m just trying to continue being the best I can, working hard on the nets and improving areas that I find uncomfortable. “You can always improve.”

Root has also been in sublime form, scoring his 36th Test century during the Wellington Test. This milestone put him level with India’s legendary Rahul Dravid in the all-time Test hundreds rankings, securing fifth place. Notably, it was Root’s 19th Test century since 2021, 10 more than any other player in the same period.

While Root continues to dominate, he has been more than willing to hand over the spotlight to Brook. The camaraderie between the two has been evident, and Brook credits his teammate for inspiring him to push his limits.

As England look ahead to challenging tours of Australia and India, Brook’s development will be closely monitored. With Root’s continued brilliance and Brook’s fearless approach, England’s batting line-up looks set for sustained success. The duo’s mutual admiration and hunger for excellence could be the catalyst for a new era of English dominance in Test cricket.