Brook distorts India’s reality to bend it to his will before India’s late fightback threatens nightmare ending.
Harry Brook and his distorted sense of reality brings England’s dream finish into focus. Extraordinary century bends The Oval narrative to his will.
Brendon McCullum outlined the manner in which England may win this fifth Test and the series, with the team down by one and still 324 points.
He stated that one man would not be solely responsible for the runs. As in the two earlier 370-odd chases against India, partnerships will be essential. “Dream the dream” was McCullum’s one request before sending his team off, their spirits and faith high.
They have to have another dream now. Additionally, the final 35 runs will result in a more restless sleep than the previous night, which is the wonderful nonsense of this sport. They have at least four wickets left, plus a hefty roller to make their beds a little cosier, since Chris Woakes is likely to bat if necessary.
However, neither Harry Brook nor Joe Root are present. However, both are responsible for England’s advantageous position. Yorkshire’s favourite sons were fulfilling their ambitions for 55.3 overs between their reunion at 106 for 3 and Root’s dismissal at 337 for 6.
England and their supporters were in the REM cycle during their stand of 195, revelling in lucid streams that were crafted from good recollections of past Test chases rather than only those from earlier games. After hanging to a Brook hook for 19, Mohammed Siraj stumbled on the boundary sponge at long leg, which was undoubtedly a sloppy re-enactment of Trent Boult’s fatal mistake in the 2019 World Cup final.
After charging Akash Deep to send him over cover for six, Brook was already in his flow condition. Instead of stirring, he proceeded deeper, purposefully removing the lid and then the cordon in the same over.
During the 91 balls it took to get there, Brook’s tenth century occasionally felt like twisted reality, changing a few universal laws.
Just two days before, India’s pace trio had dominated England’s lineup, but now they were being treated like million-dollar cannon fodder.
As fast as they were going to the boundary, the balls were returning from it. There were moments when it seemed Shubman Gill had chosen Sisyphus on both ends. At one stage, India was six overs down, yet they were also unable to significantly slow down the game.
His remarkable fourth-innings hundred comes after a crucial 53 on day two. This is his second significant performance in the final stages of a Test match, following his 75 against Australia at Headingley in 2023. This might also be another game-winning effort from a player whose strike rate of 87 is the highest among those with over 1000 runs.
However, Root was dismissed by a shock of brilliant bowling from Prasidh, and Siraj’s relentless demeanour sent the last half-hour of the day into England’s nightmare zone.
Nerves jangled. Heads in the air. Everyone will benefit from a good night’s sleep, if they can get one.
On Monday, the dreams that have been waiting for this time might finally come true.