Harry Brook Falls Just Short of Fastest 2000 Test Runs Record, Shines Bright for England in Christchurch
Harry Brook came tantalizingly close to setting a historic benchmark in Test cricket, falling just seven balls shy of becoming the fastest player (in terms of balls faced) to reach 2000 Test runs. On Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Brook reached the milestone after facing 2300 deliveries, solidifying his reputation as one of cricket’s rising stars.
The record for the fastest 2000 Test runs belongs to Brook’s compatriot, Ben Duckett, who achieved the feat in 2293 deliveries. Brook now holds the distinction of being the second-fastest to the landmark, surpassing New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who reached the mark after 2418 balls.
Fastest to 2000 Test Runs in Men’s Cricket
| Player | Country | Balls Faced |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | England | 2293 |
| Harry Brook | England | 2300 |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 2418 |
| Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 2483 |
Brook and Pope Lead England’s Fightback
Brook’s exceptional innings came at a critical juncture for England, who found themselves struggling at 71/4 in the morning session. Alongside Ollie Pope, Brook staged a remarkable recovery, adding a 151-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pope contributed a vital 77 runs before an extraordinary catch by Glenn Phillips at gully ended his innings.
Unperturbed, Brook pressed on, bringing up his seventh Test century in sublime fashion. His ton further cements his position as one of England’s most dependable batters during the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Brook now trails only Joe Root, who has six centuries in this WTC period, in terms of hundreds scored for England.
England and New Zealand Lineups for the Christchurch Test
England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir
Bench: Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Olly Stone
New Zealand XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke
Bench: Jacob Duffy, Will Young
Brook’s innings has not only showcased his individual brilliance but also bolstered England’s efforts in a fiercely contested Test match. Fans now eagerly await to see how the game unfolds in Christchurch.
