Harry Brook’s 317 puts England in command of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan. The tourists hit a record first-innings score of 823, the fourth-highest team total in Test Cricket. It was a fantastic display of batsmanship between Brook and Joe Root, the catalysts for England’s highest score in test cricket.
Brook also became the 28th batsman to score a triple century in a Test match innings and the sixth for England.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Root played another classy innings of 262, his second-highest individual score.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis was after he surpassed Sir Alastair Cook as England’s highest run scorer in Tests.
It was hard work for Shan Masood and his bowlers, who were clueless about where to bowl on the flat Multan pitch.
The Brook/Root partnership of 454 was the highest by England for any wicket and the fourth-highest in Test Cricket.
It was also the highest partnership by a touring team, surpassing Sir Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford’s 451 against England in 1934.
Brook reached his triple-century in 310 balls, making it the second fastest after Virender Sehwag(Ind) against South Africa, in 278.
The former England Captain praised his teammate as he enjoyed his company in the middle.
“I think we keep each other going,” “We have a good laugh out there together. We have played a lot of cricket together whether it be for Yorkshire or for England. He does make you laugh, sometimes without even trying. He’s fun to play with.”
Root: BBC Sport
It was then up to England’s bowlers to respond to the great work done by their batsmen.
Chris Woakes responded immediately, with the wicket of Abdullah Shafique at 0-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesGus Atkinson got his first wicket of the second innings, removing Shan Masood for 11 at 29-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis second scalp was the big wicket of Babar Azam at 41-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Brydon Carse made things worse for Pakistan, with the wicket of Saim Ayub at 41-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesMohammed Rizwan became Carse’s second wicket at 59-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore Pakistan lost Saud Shakeel to Jack Leach at 82-6.
Embed from Getty ImagesSalman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal ensured that Pakistan lost more wickets, ending Day Four on 152-6.
So England remains entirely in control of this first Test. Can they take a Series lead?