'Hometown boy' Brook reaches half-century
This should be a crucial moment in the career of Harry Brook.
After the thrilling highs and frustrating lows of the past four years and 38 Tests, he stroked 91 runs from 93 balls without breaking sweat on day two of the first Test against Pakistan.
The wild swipes of previous innings, particularly during England's Ashes defeat last winter, were gone. Not once did he come charging down the pitch.
Yes, he was dropped on one but after that he just kept his concentration and knocked bad balls for four.
He will score a million runs if he keeps batting like this. It must be the blueprint for Brook across the rest of his Test career.
Any frustration I have ever expressed towards Brook has never been personal, or because I did not rate him as a batsman.
He is a very rare talent who ranks alongside the likes of Kevin Pietersen and David Gower as the most talented I have seen play for England.
There have been times, like during his triple century against Pakistan in Multan, when I have sat and admired that talent.
But in Australia, when he got out driving Scott Boland in Perth or swinging at Mitchell Starc in Brisbane, I feared he could waste what he has worked so hard to have.
England go in to day three on top with a 185-run lead
It is no surprise this version of Brook has come immediately after he was overlooked as captain.
He was seriously considered by managing director Rob Key and others at the England and Wales Cricket Board before ultimately being overlooked.
I am sure he will have asked himself why that was the case and, after incidents like the one in Wellington and some of the things he has said to the media in the past, it comes back to maturity.
Yes, Brook has shown himself an able tactician and leader of the white-ball team but at no point did I believe he was ready to be England's Test captain.
