Harry Brook rallies England with a stunning century after early batting collapse
- England recovered from a difficult position at 71 for four to finish the day at 319 for five, partly due to Harry Brook's outstanding performance.
- Brook benefited from several dropped catches while batting, including four missed opportunities by New Zealand.
- His unbeaten 132 runs helped England regain control in the match, significantly improving their prospects.
On November 28, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand, England faced a challenging start during the second day of the Test match. After bowling out New Zealand for 348 runs, England found themselves struggling at 71 for four, with notable failures from key batsmen including Zak Crawley and Joe Root, who both failed to score. Jacob Bethell, on his debut, also faced difficulties at the top of the order. Despite the team's troubles, Harry Brook stepped up, capitalizing on several dropped catches to make an extraordinary recovery. His innings was crucial in guiding England from a precarious position to a more secure one by the end of the day. Brook's resilience at the crease highlighted his ability to convert chances into runs, finishing the day unbeaten on 132. His partnership with Ben Stokes also contributed significantly, as they managed to accumulate runs while New Zealand's bowlers missed crucial opportunities to take wickets. The day's play concluded with England at 319 for five, showcasing an impressive turnaround and giving them the upper hand in the match after a tough start. Brook's performance not only aided his team but also marked a personal victory for him after previous struggles earlier in the tour.