England cricketer Harry Brook was offered national selectors a timely reminder of his big-hitting potential with a record-breaking century in The Hundred competition on Wednesday morning AEST.
The 24-year-old, representing the Northern Superchargers, cracked an unbeaten 105 (42) against the Welsh Fire at Headingley, the fastest century in The Hundred’s short history. He becomes just the third cricketer to reach triple figures in the men’s competition, joining Will Jacks and Will Smeed.
The Superchargers were in dire straits at 3-10 after 20 deliveries when Brook walked to the crease, but the Yorkshireman’s 11 boundaries and seven sixes gave the hosts a respectable total of 7-158 in Leeds. None of his teammates scored more than 15.
The Fire ultimately secured an eight-wicket victory, chasing the 159-run target with ten balls to spare courtesy of a blistering half-century from opener Stephen Eskinazi.
Watch The Hundred LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Brook, who has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months at international level, was a surprise omission from England’s provisional World Cup squad last week, axed in favour of retired all-rounder Ben Stokes.
The right-hander, who has only played three ODIs, has been earmarked as a future multi-format superstar after plundering multiple centuries at Test level, also turning heads in the Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League.
“Obviously it’s disappointing, but I can’t do anything about it now,” Brook said last week.
“You’ve just got to move on. I’m trying not to think about it anymore. I’ve not had much conversation with Matthew (Mott) or Jos (Buttler). They said with Stokesy coming back I was probably going to miss out this time. He is one of the best players to ever play cricket, so I can’t really complain, can I?”
“I feel like I’m playing well at the minute and feel I could potentially add value to the team. There’s always something more you could do,” he continued.
“I haven’t had much opportunity to play one-day cricket, whether that be for Yorkshire or England and, although I’ve played a lot of T20 cricket, I don’t know I’ve done as well as I have in the past in the last six months, so that might have had an effect.”
READ MORE
‘WHAT HAVE I DONE HERE’: Steve Smith’s secret Ashes reveal
‘WASN’T UP TO STANDARD’: Marnus’ big admission on shock axing
Injured England quick Jofra Archer confessed he was “stunned” that Brook missed selection for the ODI squad, while former Test batter Kevin Pietersen was left “flabbergasted” by the axing.
“He is pure quality. I just cannot believe it,” Pietersen told Sky Sports last week.
“I saw this guy at Headingley two years ago when The Hundred took off and I immediately saw a superstar. I saw someone playing 360.”
Speaking to reporters last week, national selector Luke Wright admitted Brook’s omission was “as hard a decision as you’re ever going to get”.
“There’s no denying what a superstar he is, and what a huge future he’s got with us going forwards in all forms,” Wright explained.
“We’ve actually got a lot of middle-order players and our bowling all-rounders are middle-order players as well. It was always going to squeeze the balance of the team.
“That’s the incredibly tough decision we’ve had to make. I’m sure he’s disappointed … But unfortunately in a 15-man squad, someone’s going to have to miss out. On this occasion it’s been him.”
