Harry Brook may have fallen agonisingly short of a century, dismissed for 99 on Day 3 of the first Test against India at Headingley, but his knock earned plaudits for its maturity, audacity, and game awareness. The 26-year-old Yorkshire batter was the standout performer for England, helping them close in on the 400-run mark before being caught off Prasidh Krishna’s bowling.LIVE: India vs England 1st Test Day 3Brook’s innings, which came off 112 balls and included 11 boundaries and two sixes, was built on resilience and flair. He survived a nervy start, including a near-dismissal to Jasprit Bumrah in the final over of Day 2 and a couple of dropped chances on the third morning. Yet, he played with authority, especially against India’s pace spearhead.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Former England cricketer and broadcaster Nick Knight was full of praise for Brook’s approach, particularly his confident response to Bumrah’s early challenge.
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“We are seeing the very best of Harry Brook,” Knight said during the lunch break on Day 3. “The audacious shots, the strike rate, his general approach – this is a more refined version of him. I liked how he danced down to Bumrah early on and said, ‘You may be No. 1 in the world, but I’m pretty good too. I’m No. 2, so let’s go.’”
Knight highlighted Brook’s maturity, noting, “What I admired most was how he read the game situation and built partnerships. Bazball is refining itself constantly, and Brook showed how to blend aggression with awareness.”Brook’s dismissal left him stranded just one short of a memorable hundred at his home ground, but his effort under pressure – particularly his duel with Bumrah – was a compelling display of modern Test batting, earning respect even in heartbreak.