England batting legend Geoffrey Boycott believes that Harry Brook has the talent to become one of the greatest batters in world cricket but feels the white-ball captain is not using his ability properly, especially in Test cricket.
Boycott feels Brook has rare natural talent, but the legendary cricketer feels the young batter needs to improve his thinking and decision-making to reach the highest level. His comments came in the wake of his poor knock in the ongoing second Test against England at Lord’s. Amid this, Imam-ul-Haq accused of faking injuries by ex-Pakistan selector.
Geoffrey Boycott makes big Harry Brook admission after Lord’s struggle
Geoffrey Boycott has heaped praise on Harry Brook’s incredible talent, but he is worried about Brook’s habit of attacking almost every ball. England’s white-ball captain continues to score runs in Tests, but he has not scored big runs in the format for around a year.
The Englishman said on the Geoffrey Boycott: An Extraordinary Innings podcast, “I’ve said before, and I’ll say again, I’ve seen a lot of players. I haven’t seen anybody with the talent he’s got for a long time. Enormous talent. The timing, the shot playing—he’s tall, big reach—but his thinking is just unbelievable.”
Geoffrey Boycott makes huge Harry Brook prediction
Yet, the former England batter has boldly said that Harry Brook could even reach the level of legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies great Brian Lara if he learns to control his aggressive approach. Otherwise, he can have only a decent career.
Boycott said, “If he wants to carry on playing that way, he’ll have a decent career, but he has the ability, if he could think better, to be in the realms of Lara and Tendulkar. And, whoa, that’s a bit special. To be up in that stratosphere is huge.
There aren’t many above them, except [Don] Bradman, and that’s special. But he plays one-day cricket to every ball. He doesn’t have a look at the ball; he has to bash the first ball. He’ll just keep getting caught at mid-off and mid-on and daft places.” Amid this, ECB seeks UK government help after PCB threatens Lord’s Test pullout over Imran Khan interview.
Geoffrey Boycott reveals Harry Brook’s uncle asked him to help the England star
Boycott also revealed that Brook’s uncle contacted him last year and asked for his opinion about the young batter. Boycott offered to help Brook improve his game if he wanted his guidance.
He further said, “His uncle came to me last year, and he said, ‘Would you have a word with him?’ Well, he asked me what I thought of him. I told him exactly this. He said, ‘Really?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ I said that much ability is rare and special.
He said, ‘Would you have a word with him?’ I said, ‘It’s not for me to go to him. But if he asked me, of course I’d help. Why would I not? I gave him my number and never heard a word.”
Notably, England will begin Day 3 at 81/3, holding a strong 261-run lead and looking well placed to secure their first home Test series victory in two years.