Brook shows his England class
HARRY Brook reaffirmed his England credentials with 82 as Yorkshire responded strongly to Warwickshire’s first-innings 244 during day two at Headingley.
Yorkshire, for whom determined opener Adam Lyth also scored 118 not out, have reached the halfway stage of this sixth round LV= Insurance County Championship fixture in control at 269 for four from 91 overs.
Brook, called up to England’s squad for the start of next month’s Test series against New Zealand earlier this week, recorded his eighth score of 50 or more in nine innings this season and is now the leading scorer in Division One with 840 runs at a remarkable average of 140.
The fourth-wicket pair shared 157 either side of tea after Yorkshire had started the day on 28 without loss from 12 overs. Joe Root only made eight during a day ended 17 overs early at 5.30pm by rain.
Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth said: “The way me and George (Hill) came out and then Will (Fraine) came in and grafted so hard, we fought hard there and got our rewards towards the back end of the day.
“Harry came in and played unbelievably well, as he has done all year. He was free-scoring on a tough wicket.
“I don’t know how many balls I’ve faced there, but it must have been near 300 (285).
“Harry has come in and struck it with ease. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to a hundred. But he played fantastically well, and that partnership was fantastic for the side.
“It was a very different knock for me, but I just dug deep there. You saw how much it meant at the end to get a hundred.”
He added: “I don’t think there’s anyone in the country hitting the ball as well as Harry is.”