The Ashes 2025-26: Can England batter Harry Brook ‘evolve’ after tour to Australia?
Although it was too late in the series, many of these kicks were what Brook England fans wanted.
He came in at 57-3 and fell for 20 from his first 30 balls with little concern.
After narrowly missing the second ball from the inside edge, he ruled his next shot offside and converted the kick.
Defended or let go of 53% of classic ‘good length’ shots from 92 balls; a good jump compared to the first four Tests of the series.
Brook seemed to be learning.
But things are not going to be easy with England’s vice-captain.
He went beyond 3,000 Test runs in his 57th innings at Melbourne; Only Herbert Sutcliffe could better this score for England, but it still causes a lot of frustration.
He had hit 15 without passing 51 in seven of his previous eight innings on the tour; At least twice he fell for what he described as “shocking” shots.
Brook, who said he wanted to learn when best to apply the pressure here in Adelaide, got close to undefeated but nearly came to blows again.
Did you find out, Harry? Really?
Brook had 38 from 48 balls to his name as Australia turned to the most obvious schemes.
Captain Steve Smith and bowler Mitchell Starc stood together, five fielders were pushed into the shadows of the Sydney Cricket Ground’s famous stands and the ball was bowled short.
Australia and England fans knew what was going to happen next. Brook can never resist.
Dropping two balls to Australia’s Plan B, dropping the best bowler of the series in Starc to the battering ram, Brook dropped back and almost edged the fielder lurking at third over.
Starc’s next delivery received a warning when he miscued a pull shot towards mid-off, but he ignored it and repeated the shot on his next delivery.
The ball rose skyward but none of the three Australians positioned could cover the ground required to complete the catch.
This time Brook survived.
Brook lost another bouncer close to fine leg after passing Starc.
Then, instead of delaying the shot, he used all his strength to push another strike from all-rounder Cameron Green into the stands.
It was a typical Brook reaction.
“I didn’t feel like I was getting on the ball like I usually do,” he said.
“The wind was clearly going in that direction, so I felt like everything was set up for me and when I tried to go airborne everything was happening faster.
“And if I put some bat on the ball, most of the time it goes for six.”
