Joe Root vs NZ. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
The second Test of the ongoing series between New Zealand and England in Wellington saw the visitors make a remarkable comeback before rain intervened on the opening day. Harry Brook and Joe Root have taken their side to a commanding position with their respective centuries after a stuttering start.
The home side, who elected to bowl first after winning the toss, made great use of the new ball in bowler-friendly conditions. They reduced England to 21/3 inside the first seven overs of the match, to gain early momentum in the second Test. But their ascent was shortlived as former England skipper Joe Root and Harry Brook got together at the crease.
While Joe Root thwarted the Kiwi bowlers with his assured presence at the crease, Brook was relentless from the other end, continuing from where he left off in the previous Test. The 24-year-old added a brisk half-century off just 51 deliveries before the Lunch break to paper over the earlier blows.
The eye-pleasing stroke maker put his foot on the accelerator after the interval and registered a masterful ton against the Kiwi bowlers, who were threatening to take an early advantage in the second match. Meanwhile, the former England skipper continued with his calm and composed approach at the crease.
However, there was no stopping his young batting partner, who brought up his 150 in just 146 deliveries. While Root stuck to a more sedated approach at the crease, Brook brought out his pyro techniques, slaying the Kiwi bowlers with utter disdain. His swashbuckling innings meant that the visitors maintained a healthy run rate of over four runs per over.
Even though Brook was the piece of attraction during the duo’s mammoth 294-run stand for the fourth wicket, Root received plaudits for a magnificent century from the other end. The Kiwi bowlers were looking clueless against the English pair, and that is when rain intervened to have the final say on proceedings on the opening day of the second Test.
Here is how Twitter reacted to England’s counterattack after early setbacks:
6️⃣ Tests
9️⃣ Innings
4️⃣ Centuries
Very, very special.#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/Owv7ccpSbJ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 24, 2023
Just admire it ❤️
Harry Brook holds the pose after this wondrous drive 🔥#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/FovmgxztX2
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 24, 2023
WOW.
That is some catch 🤯
Bazball™️ is under pressure here… #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/0xrDQ0Fiqm
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 23, 2023
“No reverse sweeps today”
Think again 🤣
Joe Root proving he can play every shot in the book 📕#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/c5rjwR1QC7
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 24, 2023
THE GREATEST ❤️
Scorecard: https://t.co/k4ss5jWzMY
🇳🇿 #NZvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/UCKFn8Cjpm
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 24, 2023
And then the Brooks and Root party! Unreal batting 😓 https://t.co/u81MbAHES5
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) February 24, 2023
This is ridiculous test cricket 😂
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) February 24, 2023
It’s a Harry Brook world by and we’re just living in it 🏏
— Mark Stoneman (@mark23stone) February 23, 2023
Harry Brook has 4 centuries and 3 fifties from just 9 innings in Test cricket.
Unbelievable start by the 24 year old sensation from England. pic.twitter.com/TDmUldFEAS
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 24, 2023
On a green pitch, England was 21 for 3, then came Harry Brook & smashed hundred from just 107 balls.
He is just 24, taking England cricket by storm. pic.twitter.com/ZvbuimIur3
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 24, 2023