"We asked each other what the record was" - Harry Brook reveals chat with Joe Root amid their 454-run stand on Day 4 of 1st PAK vs ENG 2024 Test
England middle-order batter Harry Brook revealed that they didn't know what the record for the highest partnership for the national team was. The youngster said he and Joe Root kept asking each other about it on Day 4 of the opening Test against Pakistan in Multan.
Having stitched together a 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket in Multan, Brook and Root broke the previous haul of 411 held by former captain Peter May and Colin Cowdrey. The match in 1957 against the West Indies saw May score 285, while Cowdrey made 154.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the 25-year-old said they concentrated more on running between the wickets, which proved difficult due to the heat.
"We asked each other what the record was. We didn't know what it was. We didn't talk much at all. There was a fist pump in the middle. We were pretty tired - it was hot and tough work running between the wickets."
The fourth day in Multan also saw Brook became the sixth England batter to score a triple-hundred in Tests. The Yorkshire cricketer reached his triple ton in 310 deliveries, making it the second-fastest in the format. He was on the verge of breaking Brian Lara's 400, but fell for 317.
"He's got such a complete game" - Joe Root on Harry Brook
Joe Root, who belted 262, claimed that he is not surprised by the youngster producing such innings and earmarks him to do it consistently. Root stated:
"He's got such a complete game: he can score all around the wicket. He plays seam well, spin well and high pace well, and that's a pretty good recipe for scoring runs. I'm not surprised at all in him going on and doing something special like that, but I don't think it'll be the last time we see him with a monster score by his name."
England are firmly in control of the Test heading into the final day, needing three more wickets to win the Test, with Abrar Ahmed unlikely to bat. Pakistan need another 115 to make the visitors bat again.