Harry Brook played one of his best counter-attacking innings ever as his hundred floored India on Day 4 of the fifth and final Test match at the Oval. Harry Brook walked in at Number 5 with England in a spot of bother at 106/3 chasing 374 and he took the game on with his attacking stroke-play. India bowled decently to him initially but lost the plot thereafter.
Harry Brook was batting on 19 and seeming to look in control when a short ball from Prasidh Krishna was hit by Brook towards deep fine leg. Mohammed Siraj took the catch but the momentum took him and his foot touched the ropes resulting in a maximum. It was a huge moment in the game as Brook made India pay while the Indians looked absolutely clueless on the field with their planning and execution.
Harry Brook’s Mature Counter-Attacking Innings Flattens India.
Walking in at 106/3 in the 28th over, Harry Brook joined Joe Root in the middle and both complimented each other really well. While Brook was the aggressor, Root kept the scoreboard ticking by taking singles and doubles. Brook got himself in and started playing his shots to counter India who had a decent morning session getting a couple of wickets off Ben Duckett and captain Ollie Pope. But Brook didn’t let the scoreboard pressure affect him at all.
He took on the bowling with a positive mindset and became more dangerous once Siraj made the error in the boundary which gave him reprieve when batting on 19. India seemed to have lost the plot there in the mind and it showed as there was no planning as to how to bowl to Brook. Some ordinary deliveries were dished up on a consistent basis as India did not know what struck them. Between Lunch and Tea, runs came like a rampaging river.
While Brook was superb getting a counter-attacking 10th Test ton and shifting the momentum in England’s favour, India did not have planning against them with Root benefitting from it. The duo shared 195 runs off 211 balls in a 374 chase to make things easier for England. India were hoping for a mistake and they didn’t get one till the fag end of the day when Brook fell for a magnificent 111 off 98 balls while Root too fell later on for 105 off 152 balls. But the damage has already been done with England well ahead in the game.
Harry Brook’s Performance In This Series And Beyond.
Harry Brook has had a decent outing in this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He started the series with a 99 in Headingly in the first Test match and missed out in the second innings. He scored a majestic 158 off 234 balls in the first innings at Edgbaston and scored 23 off 31 in the second innings. At Lord’s, he missed out just about getting to double digits. He missed out in the only innings he played at Manchester but has had a good game at the Oval scoring 53 in the first innings before this breath-taking 111 on Day 4.
Harry Brook is the Number 2nd ranked Test batter in the world behind Joe Root and stats back that up as well. He averages in excess of 55 in his early Test career and strike rate is close to 90. The thing about Brook is when he gets set and scores a big one, the opposition becomes clueless and they don’t know how to stop the run flow. He dominates bowling and is a mainstay in the middle order for England. Who can forget his majestic triple ton where he scored 317 and had a long partnership with Joe Root who delivered a double hundred in that game.
This was Brook’s 10th Test ton and he generally converts them into large 100s. Luckily for India, he made a mistake and got out to give the visitors some hope. But the damage seems to have been done and England firm favourites to complete the formalities on Day 5 and win series 3-1. India needs a miracle to pull things off.
What Lies Ahead.
The stage is set for the final day of the series which we didn’t expect, but rain and weather had other plans. England require 35 runs more to win while India require 4 wickets to achieve a miracle. Chris Woakes will bat if needed and so, India have their work cut out with 3.2 overs left for the second new ball. The series has been gripping and the climax could be classic.
Will England hold their nerves and win series 3-1? Or will India script an unbelievable comeback and pull off a heist at the Oval to level series 2-2? Draw or tie not out of cards as heavy rain is forecast in South West London today and this rain may add to the drama that we are having. A thrilling finale in prospect nonetheless and we need about an hour’s play to find out the result today.
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