Brook happy to come through bouncer test

HARRY Brook admitted he is in the midst of a battle against the bouncer after surviving Australia’s short-ball tactics to hand England a strong start to the final Ashes Test, writes Rory Dollard.

- Rory Dollard.

Brook shared an unbeaten stand of 154 with Joe Root, England’s highest partnership of the series, as the Yorkshire pair guided the tourists to 211 for three at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Root, right, was serene throughout his knock of 72 not out while Brook was involved in a livelier contest on his way to 78 not out from 92 balls.

Australia deliberately probed his reputation as a ‘happy hooker’ by banging the ball in at head height and came close to unseating him on a handful of occasions.

There was a mishit that came close to a caught-and-bowled, a top-edged pull that landed just between two converging fielders and another that skidded through to fine leg after bouncing just short.