New Zealand v England: Harry Brook’s ‘favourite’ century sets up chance at series win

This was breathless stuff at the Basin Reserve, picking up from the Wonder of Wellington, the last time these two sides met on this ground. On that occasion, New Zealand won by one run.

Brook made a hundred then, too. He also took his one and only Test wicket. In the second innings, he was run out without facing a ball. Given the margin of defeat, it probably cost England the match. It also dented, realistically ended, his shot at the holy grail of Test batting records – the fastest man to 1,000 runs.

Still, staggering numbers followed. In Christchurch he reached 2,000 Test runs in his 36th innings. Only Herbert Sutcliffe, almost 100 years ago, got there faster for England.

This century in Wellington, from 91 balls, was Brook’s second Test ton at better than a run a ball. Lord Botham is the other Englishman to make two centuries striking at faster than 100.

Brook’s eighth Test hundred came in his 38th innings, so he is averaging a century at better than one every five knocks. Only Denis Compton got to eight three-figure scores in fewer innings for England.

The 2,225 runs Brook has made in his first 23 Tests is more than any other England player at this stage of a career. There are 118 runs between Brook and second-placed Wally Hammond, and Brook still has one more innings in his 23rd Test.

After Brook’s 317 in Pakistan, James Anderson, who knows a thing or two about being the best of all time, raised eyebrows by saying Brook could end up as England’s greatest batter.

At the start of the Wellington Test, Brook was ranked as the second-best batter currently playing Tests, behind England’s GOAT Joe Root. Root may soon not be rated as the best batter in Yorkshire.

Kevin Pietersen was the other player Anderson mentioned alongside Brook, and their styles are similar. Such is Brook’s superior record, KP has started wearing Harry Brook pyjamas.