Watch: Harry Brook's Century Saves England from New Zealand's Clutches

The hosts added 29 more runs and were bowled out for 348 on Day 2 of the inaugural Test match between England and New Zealand. The starter, Zak Crawley, left England early after scoring a duck. With England languishing on 45 for three, Joe Root also recorded a duck, and debutant Jacob Bethell followed suit, scoring just 10 runs. William O'Rourke outscored Ben Duckett, who was looking good after scoring 46 runs. 

When England was in serious difficulty at 45 for 3, the 25-year-old came in to bat and gave them just what they needed. To reach this milestone, he maintained the ideal strategy throughout the innings. Harry Brook, who plays domestic cricket for Yorkshire, achieved this accomplishment by smashing a century in 123 balls while hitting nine boundaries and two maximums. He and Ollie Pope first formed a solid 171-run partnership, which he then carried on with Ben Stokes. This was his third century of the year; the other two had come against Pakistan and the West Indies. 

Harry Brook steals the show:

The Christchurch crowd rises to Harry Brook.

A SEVENTH Test match century! 💯 pic.twitter.com/i6bs4ok6eO

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 29, 2024

At the end of Day 2, England is only 29 runs behind, and they want to increase their lead in order to put pressure on the Kiwis. Nathan Smith contributed two wickets for New Zealand, while Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke each claimed one wicket. The match's outcome will be determined on Day 3 at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, and the visitors' reliance on Brook and Stokes will be vital.

Since both players have two hundred, he tied the record of Test hundreds in New Zealand held by the renowned Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar with this one. Tim Southee produced a short, wide delivery outside off in the 61st over, which was the decisive moment. After maintaining his composure throughout the innings, Brook hung back and hit a superb boundary by cutting hard through Gully's right. In order to fully enjoy the occasion and the audience's cheers, he raised both of his arms. To acknowledge the audience, he also raised the helmet and bat.

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