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MOUNT MAUNGANUI: England ODI skipper Harry Brook sent an early warning for Australia ahead of the 2025 Ashes with an imperious 135 against New Zealand at Bay Oval here on Sunday.
With the Ashes starting in a month’s time, England’s Test vice-captain Brook appears in fine form— a positive sign for the Three Lions’ batting lineup.
Brook smashed 135 from just 101 balls, albeit England ended on the losing side. However, the right-hander earned the player of the match award for his rescuing act.
Harry Brook came in to bat when the Three Lions were in deep waters with 5-3 in just 1.6 overs. However, he struck 11 sixes and nine fours, powering his side to a respectable 223 run total.
The 26-year-old shattered multiple records during his knock, including the most sixes as a captain batting at number five or below in ODIs. His 135 was also the fifth-highest by an England captain at this position or below.
He also scored the highest percentage of runs made by an England batter in a completed men’s ODI innings.
According to Wisden, Brook’s knock accounted for 60.53 percent of England’s runs, making it the highest of England’s all-time.
Moreover, only two other batters in ODI history have smashed tons when the team score was three down for less than 10 runs. The other players are Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed – 105 from 3 for 2 against England in 2016 at Lord’s- and India’s Yuvraj Singh – 103 from 3 for 5 against South Africa in 2005 at Hyderabad.
Despite his record-breaking knock, England lost the match by four wickets, courtesy of Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 78 from 91 balls.
Blackcaps chased down the target in 36.4 overs with Mithcell hitting seven fours and two maximums.
England: 1 Jamie Smith, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Harry Brook (capt), 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Luke Wood.
New Zealand: 1 Will Young, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Michael Bracewell, 7 Mitchell Santner (capt), 8 Zak Foulkes, 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Jacob Duffy, 11 Matt Henry.
READ: Brook’s sublime 135 in vain as New Zealand beat England
