England vs Australia: Harry Brook responds to his critics with century in Chester-le-Street
Brook’s innings, though, was a notably different from his own knock in Nottingham.
There, as he looked to build on a sizeable platform having come in at 168-2, he thrashed 39 from 31 balls before chipping a catch back to bowler Marnus Labuschagne. He scored at 7.8 runs per over in the first 30 balls of his innings.
In his century he began at 4.6 runs per over, increased to 7.6 in the next 30 balls, before finishing with a rate of nine runs per over.
Having arrived with the score 11-2, it helped him make a careful start before dominating the bowling in a chanceless 110 not out.
But while it felt like the breakout innings in the format from a man who has previously said, external he is trying to “figure out” the 50-over game at international level, Brook was keen to play down the difference.
“I was just trying to play the ball as late as possible and build a partnership with Jacksy [team-mate Will Jacks],” he said.
“I was knackered when I got out there after 50 overs in the field.”
Brook’s innings also put behind him a tricky run in the latter part of the summer.
Since scoring 109 in the second Test against West Indies he had reached 19 six times across formats for England but not scored more than 56.
He was criticised for the way he tried to toy with Sri Lanka’s bowlers in the third Test, some suggesting it was a sign of complacency.
“I feel I have been stop-start this summer, a lot of 30 and 40s, not managing to convert,” he said.
“I feel I am back in a good place, playing the ball late and with my head still.”
One of Brook’s great strengths is his simplicity at the crease. This was another clear reminder.
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