After failing in IPL 2023 and excluded from World Cup 2023 provisional squad, generational talent Harry Brook is taking redemption with wonder performance vs New Zealand
Harry Brook is making a strong case for being included in England’s Cricket World Cup squad. In the second T20I match against New Zealand, he played a fantastic innings, scoring 67 runs from just 36 balls, while Jonny Bairstow remained unbeaten with 86 runs off 60 balls.
This partnership helped England reach a total of 198-4, which proved too much for New Zealand. England won the match by 95 runs, taking a 2-0 lead in the series.
Brook had already impressed in the first T20I match, scoring an unbeaten 43 runs off 27 balls in England’s seven-wicket victory in Durham on Wednesday.
Harry Brook’s impressive performances in The Hundred and the recent T20 matches are a strong response to being initially left out of England’s provisional 15-man squad for the 50-over World Cup in India.
The selectors had chosen other batters for their versatility, with Dawid Malan able to open and Liam Livingstone offering spin bowling options. However, Brook is making a compelling case for inclusion. The final squad submission deadline is September 28, giving selectors some time to reconsider.
In the match against New Zealand, Brook’s powerful batting, which included five sixes and five fours, played a significant role in a 131-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow for the third wicket. Bairstow himself made an impact with four sixes and eight fours, and contributions from Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler set a challenging target.
On the bowling front, debutant pacer Gus Atkinson made an immediate impact, taking a wicket in his fourth delivery in international cricket. Sam Curran also contributed with a wicket. Brook’s catches near the boundary removed key New Zealand batsmen, and England bowled out the visitors in just 13.5 overs.
Tim Seifert was the top scorer for New Zealand with 39 runs, while Atkinson finished with impressive figures of 4 wickets for 20 runs on his T20I debut.
The third T20 match will be held at Edgbaston, and both teams are set to play four ODIs as part of their preparations for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to be played in India.
Back-to-back Brook boundaries 😍#EnglandCricket | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/7QxYNwBQnk
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 1, 2023
