Is Harry Brook truly the best batter in the world as Joe Root claims?

In December 2024, during the Test series in New Zealand, Harry Brook made headlines by scoring a pivotal century in Wellington, which led him to leapfrog his teammate Joe Root in the ICC Test batting rankings. Brook's performance included an impressive 123 runs off just 115 deliveries, significantly turning the match around after England found themselves in a precarious position at 43 for four during the first innings. This match-defining inning was not only crucial for England's success in the game, resulting in a 323-run victory but also marked Brook's ascent to the top of the batting rankings for the first time at the age of 25. Joe Root, having begun the Test ranked ahead of Brook, also contributed to the win by scoring his 36th Test century, bringing his overall point total to 897, just shy of Brook's 898. Despite this, Root showed generosity in his admiration for Brook, stating that Brook is currently the best player in the world and praising his all-round capabilities as a batsman. Both players have been in tremendous form throughout the series, with Brook achieving back-to-back centuries in New Zealand. The duo's combined achievements help solidify England's dominance in the series, as they aim for a clean sweep against the hosts. Moreover, Brook's performance has been record-breaking, as he is now averaging an astounding 61.62, which is among the highest in Test cricket history for players who have batted in a minimum of 20 innings. Although Brook acknowledges his exceptional form, he remains grounded, expressing a desire to continue improving in the sport. This level of performance has drawn attention not only for its impact on ranking but for the way it reshapes the narrative around the England batting order, as they enter an era where Brook and Root may be the central figures in English cricket. Despite his rapid rise, Brook has yet to face the challenges posed by cricketing venues like India or Australia, where conditions for batting can be significantly different. He remains focused on honing his skills and adapting his game to face any bowling lineup, emphasizing that the aim is to score runs rather than merely survive on the pitch. With both players at their peak, cricket enthusiasts anticipate an exciting future for English cricket, with Brook likely to continue his ascent and Root hoping to maintain his position among the best in the game.