As Stokes admitted himself, it was a “massive shout”, but not at all without merit. Even after a quiet T20 World Cup in Australia, it is clear that Brook’s technique is transferrable across all codes. As for the chutzpah, well, it’s tough to know if that even has a ceiling. The pressure of this level, the pressure of great expectation on a former U19 captain who was destined for big things long before he came on everyone’s radar, has been taken in his stride.
The Keighley drawl, the sense of utter control, the manner in which he speaks gives the essence of a veteran. Especially the muted celebrations both times he reached three figures. “I’ve never been one for massive celebrations. I think I’ve always had that inner confidence to be able to score hundreds, and score big runs so I don’t just want to score one or two hundreds,” he said. “I want to score plenty.”
But there are still tells of a young man just making his way. The wide eyes and unweathered smile, a gait without aches and a youthful disposition – that the world and cricket has so much more to offer him. He doesn’t look like he can grow facial hair but, given what he’s already accomplished in Islamabad and Multan, who’s to say he won’t come out of Karachi with a full beard to rival old Saint Nick in time for Christmas.
The best thing about all that? He could take or leave those accolades, and even goes as far to suggest he has been fortunate so early in his career.
“That stuff doesn’t really bother me,” Brook said of the records. “I’m very lucky to have started here, these are very good wickets to bat on, I know it fairly well having played here. It might have been a bit different if we’d been playing in England on a spicy one, so I’m very fortunate to have started here.”
“I think I’m quite lucky, the fact that I’m playing in Pakistan. Obviously, I’ve had a bit of success here this year with the PSL [260 runs at 52.80, including a maiden T20 hundred] and then the T20 series with England, so I kind of knew what I was expecting before coming out here. I’ve faced all of the bowlers – well, most of the bowlers – and I knew what the wickets were like. I’m very fortunate and lucky to start my career out here and start off like I have done.”
The switch from the first innings to the second came through acknowledging a mistake and putting it right. Brook admits he was irate with how he played the spinner on day one and, following a chat with Martin Speight, a former first-class cricketer for Sussex and Durham who oversaw Brook’s cricket at Sedbergh School, set about putting it right.
“I was very disappointed with the way I got out in the first innings so I wanted to stamp my foot down and get a score,” he said. “I was pretty disappointed with that. I spoke to my coach back home, my school coach Martin Speight, and he was like, ‘I know you’ll learn from it’ and then I did.
“I was probably a bit reckless, I don’t tend to hit from the crease against leg-spin, and I tried it, and I got out, so I learnt that. I was very happy with the second innings.”
With England arriving in Karachi on Wednesday, the focus now turns from a series win towards the chance to complete a sweep over Pakistan and end 2022 on a high. Training on Thursday will primarily be for those who did not play in Multan, with most of the squad enjoying a rest day which, naturally, includes a bit of golf.
For Brook, the National Stadium will be familiar territory having played six T20s there. “The pitch might be slightly different,” he mused, as if he’s been around the traps for yonks. “But generally in Pakistan they’re all pretty similar, they’re usually skiddy, low and fairly slow.”
“I’ve gone out there and I think I slot into this team fairly well with the way I’ve played. I’m generally quite an aggressive player who always looks to score and put the bowler under pressure, so it suits my natural game. And it’s been quite easy to slot in, and the lads have been great. So it’s been good fun.”
Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo
