A signature Brook knock in Bazball counterpunch

As rain, bad light and India’s late surge of wickets stopped England from racing to another 370-plus run chase and forced the series result into the 25th day of the five-Test saga, Harry Brook might be wondering if his exhilarating hundred on Day 4 at the Oval will after all be categorised as heroic or not.

- Rasesh Mandani

Strangely enough, India’s comeback was sparked by Brook’s dismissal, charging Akash Deep, which ended his 195-run fourth wicket stand with fellow centurion Joe Root (105).

Every staggering English run chase in the Bazball era has had one headman. Jonny Bairstow was at the front and centre against India in Birmingham 2022. Ben Duckett took Indian bowlers to the cleaners at the start of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Leeds. At The Oval, it was England's future leader Brook's turn to play a signature innings — (Ill -98b, 14x4, 2x6) -in true Bazball style. England were 339/6 chasing a target of 374.

Brook signalled his arrival in Test cricket spectacularly in 2022 with three aggressive hundreds in Pakistan and added a triple ton on another tour to that country. He was as good an ambassador as head coach Brendon McCullum could find, to showcase the brand of cricket he wanted his team to exhibit.