Ashes 2025-26: Was Harry Brook’s shot stupid or valid?
Brook was similarly patient on Saturday.
He tried a wild delivery but had no attacking strikes in his first 25 balls; It was a welcome display of restraint for a man who reportedly had too many shots in his arsenal for his own good.
And to be harsh in criticizing his eventual death would be to ignore the broader picture of the day.
It was impossible to survive five sessions blocking Nathan Lyon on a rotating surface. To use Brook’s words, pressure had to be deflected, even just a little, runs had to be scored and catchers had to be moved.
Brook was also not alone in the reverse sweep.
Right-handers Crawley, Joe Root and later Will Jacks bowled 20 overs and scored 29 on Saturday afternoon.
Lyon had five runs in each over and were even taken out of the attack at one stage. The plan worked.
This was also the first time Brook had bowled such a shot in his 33-Test career.
“They all tried to play sensibly,” said Jonathan Agnew of BBC Test Match Special.
“People will look at the dismissal of Harry Brook. I understand that. But they had played the reverse move quite consciously and well to prevent him from constantly bowling to them with the close fielders.
“The ball bounces around. It’s a legitimate tactic.”
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey was never the most aggressive of Australians but he was equally likeable.
“I’ve played shots like that, so I can’t really comment,” he said.
“I thought he did well on the reverse sweep; in fact, all of their players played the reverse sweep really well today.”
Brook was undoubtedly guilty of playing the shot on the wrong ball, even though all the comebacks had been planned in advance.
Lyon had dragged his length back and pushed the ball straighter to beat Brook, whether through the craft that comes with his 567 Test wickets, or because Brook’s three successive shots to Travis Head recently broke up play.
The latter may be Brook’s greatest failure.
His past doesn’t help him and Brook will have to repay England in the coming weeks, months and years for doing so little in the first two Tests.
However, this may be a situation that can be given up reluctantly.
