Former India head coach Greg Chappell has made a bold comparison between Harry Brook and Sachin Tendulkar, saying that the England batter techniques have boasted of an effective batting method.
Brook had an impressive outing in tests last year and maintained an average of 55. Chappell said that Harry Brook’s performance can be compared with ‘great’ Sachin Tendulkar.
In 24 tests, Brook has a stunning average of 58.48 and has become an integral part of England’s batting lineup along with Joe Root.
Chappell has likened Brook to Tendulkar and compared these two’s numbers from tehir first three years of playing. At the start of his test career, the Indian legend batted at NO.6 and 7, while Brook batted in the top and middle order, which means the latter had had more opportunities to bat.
Chappell wrote, “bold and transformative leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum”, the England team is not only rebuilding, but is surging ahead with a team that “looks equipped to dominate for a generation.”
“Central to this optimism is the emergence of Harry Brook, a batting sensation whose performances and approach I compare to the great Sachin Tendulkar.”
“Remarkably, Brook’s early career stats suggest he might even have outpaced the Indian maestro in terms of impact at the same stage,” he added.
“Much like Tendulkar in his early years, Brook does not move excessively in the crease before the ball is delivered. His stability and minimalistic technique allow him to read the angles of the bowler and adjust his strokes with precision.”
“The result? An extraordinary ability to score from most deliveries, whether they are pitched full, short or on an awkward length,” he added.
Chappell also pointed out that Tendulkar’s brilliance in his prime for scoring on both sides of wicket and using a bowler’s pace strength to his advantage.
“Brook, though a bigger and more powerful player physically, has a strikingly similar ability to manipulate the field with wristy flicks, crunching drives, and punishing back-foot shots. It is a simple method, but simplicity often breeds greatness,” he added.
Champions also drew the first 15 tests of Brook and Sachin, with Saching having scored 837 runs at an average of under 40 with two centuries while Brook has almost averaged 60 with five centuries.
“To be fair, Sachin was still a teenager while Brook is in his mid-20s,” he added. “Much like Tendulkar, he’s incredibly hard to contain. For England, he is not just a bright prospect, he is a player around whom their future could be built,” he added.
Chappell also mentioned that under Stokes, England is playing with an infectious swagger.
“They do not just aim to win, they aim to dominate. This attitude, coupled with McCullum’s aggressive philosophies, has allowed England to forge a fearless and entertaining team identity.”
“Brook embodies this new ethos: he bats with a sense of inevitability. Bowlers know he will score, but they do not know how to stop him. This psychological edge cannot be overstated. By the time Brook walks to the crease, the fielding side is already under pressure,” he concluded.
England’s next big schedule will be five match Ashes series on November 21, and they haven’t won the series in Australia sicne 2010/11.
England have also not lifted the Ashes since their win on home soil in 2015 under the captaincy of Alastair Cook.
