The curious case of Harry Brook continued at the Gabba, with a number of England greats left dumbfounded by the batter's latest Ashes dismissal.
Brook has already shown across three innings on Australian soil just how destructive he can be with the willow in hand with an eye-catching half-century in the series opener and a quickfire 31 on Thursday afternoon in the pink-ball Test.
But for as much destruction as he can cause for an opposition bowling attack, Brook has proven to be equally self-destructive with a string of ugly moments.
READ MORE: 'Beyond a joke': Aussies slammed over 'obvious' tactics
READ MORE: 'Nightmare' for Man United as crucial win goes begging
READ MORE: Root didn't rate pink-ball cricket. Now he's its poster boy
His latest dismissal came when England were building momentum and in a solid position on day one, with Brook at the crease with Joe Root at 4-210.
In need of a wicket, Australia brought left-arm quick Mitchell Starc back into the attack to break the partnership and, almost immediately, Brook went for a big booming drive outside the off-stump and edged it straight to Steve Smith in the slips cordon.
Smith reacted by shaking his head, almost in disbelief at the shot from Brook – but the Aussie captain wasn't the only one who couldn't believe his eyes.
"Oh Harry," former England captain Michael Vaughan said on BBC's Test Match Special.
"The way that England have played in the last hour has just got them right in control.
"They have waited and waited, Australia, for Starc to come back on, and within two balls Harry Brook's played a monstrous drive and gifted Australia a wicket."
At the end of the clip on social media, Vaughan is seen putting his head in his hands.
https://twitter.com/bbctms/status/1996504452321489311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Commentary reactions to these types of wickets from ex-England players have become a running gag now, such is the whirlwind of Bazball.
In the first game, Stuart Broad was caught fuming in the Seven broadcast box during a batting collapse and the legendary England seamer didn't mince his words when it came to Brook's moment of madness against the in-form Starc.
"Harry Brook has played 31 Tests – he's not someone who's starting out," Broad said.
"We're now getting to the situation of 'is he recognising the game scenario?' That's such a crucial thing about Test-match cricket. Is Harry Brook aware of what's happening at that time in the Test match? There needs to be a couple of question marks over that.
"You probably need to have a discussion as a teammate, less as a coach, and say 'we're not just batting or having a net. This is Ashes cricket. This is really serious stuff.'
"It just feels like some of the dismissals are freebies."
Former wicket-keeper Matt Prior lashed the 26-year-old's moment of madness.
"It's ridiculous," he said on TNT Sports.
"What is that shot? Ultimately, when you are out there, it comes down to the individual.
"England have Australia under pressure, and he tries something like that."
Michael Atherton was equally as frustrated after stumps on the Sky Sports coverage.
"He's a destructive, game-changing player … but equally, I think you do sit him down and say talk us through that situation," Atherton said.
Nasser Hussain believes that Root was miffed during his partnership with Brook.
"He was actually getting a bit frustrated with Harry Brook," Hussain said.
"I thought Harry was away with the fairies a bit today. Joe a couple of times hit it when there were easy runs … and next ball, he nicked it.
https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1996640408575922254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"You don't want him to become in danger of some other previous players England have had who say 'that's the way I play' and that's fine, because it is the way he plays and he is very good. He's one of our finest players actually.
"But if he keeps getting out like that, he will learn quickly."
Brook has amassed 2872 in his Test career to date at an average in the mid-50s, but has cost his team on numerous occasions with his aggressive mindset.
Root went on to score a century in the night-time session as England finished the first day in Brisbane at 9-325.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.