Young gun Brook breezes into life
LITTLE seems to faze Yorkshire teenage batting prodigy Harry Brook.
The right-hander, who made a promising 38 on Championship debut at Lord’s recently, said he hadn’t felt nervous walking out to bat at the home of cricket.
Instead he just set out to “to do his thing” and take his phenomenal success with the seconds into the first eleven.
Brook, who this week was named captain of the England U19 squad though that was thrust into immediate doubt suffering a suspected broken hand in the Yorkshire nets, made his first-class debut last year against Pakistan A, aged just 17. He was dismissed without scoring on that occasion, so was eager to post a score against Middlesex. Despite a stern examination with the new ball, he got off the mark early, driving down the ground for three.
He said: “I did my thing and tried to just bat, to do what I’ve been doing in second team cricket and take it into the firsts. It felt good to get my first runs. It’s a good place to play your first game. There aren’t many better places to bat.”
Although he was disappointed not to make a bigger contribution, it was, however, a knock which impressed many seasoned observers, particularly given his age and the setting.
Brook signed a full-time junior professional contract this month after impressing for both the seconds and Academy and landing the coveted Dickie Bird Foundation award.
His appetite for runs since returning from England U19s’ winter tour of India has been insatiable. Three Academy centuries and 127 against Leicestershire Seconds were quickly followed by another ton to set up a Yorkshire victory in the Second XI Trophy final against Middlesex at Headingley.
“That was unbelievable,” he recalls. “Probably one of the best wins I’ve had.”
Cricket has deep roots in the Brook family. His grandfather, father and uncles all played. “As soon as I was born, I had a bat in my hand,” he smiles.
He learned his cricket at Burley in the Airedale and Wharfedale League, where his uncles still play.
Brook, who recently signed with Farsley CC, has boarded at Sedbergh School, Cumbria, since 2013 under the mentorship of Director of Cricket Chris Mahon and former Sussex and Durham keeper Martin Speight.
His attitude and approach has made a big impression on those who have worked with him.
Mahon said: “Harry has been totally dedicated to improving his game and always had a clear ambition to become a professional cricketer.
“He has never taken anything for granted, however, and works conscientiously on both the technical side of his game and his fitness, taking every opportunity for individual training.
“His standards are always high, he sets the tone within the 1st XI and is an excellent role-model for the younger cricketers.”
Ian Dews, director of cricket development for Yorkshire said: “He’s a very exciting prospect. He’s not shy of hitting the ball and has made some big scores. He really benefited from his tour with the England U19s and seems to be going from strength to strength.”