Harry Brook is rapidly positioning himself as one of the leading Test batters in global cricket, and his trajectory suggests he will continue to excel for years to come. He recently achieved his seventh and eighth Test centuries during the inaugural Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, scoring centuries in both of the initial matches against New Zealand, thereby maintaining his impressive performance throughout the year.

As a result of his accomplishments, Brook ascended to the top of the ICC Test batter rankings, surpassing his teammate Joe Root, who has long been regarded as one of the finest batters in the format due to his consistent form in recent years.

Moreover, Brook received an endorsement from one of cricket's all-time greats, Ricky Ponting, further solidifying his status. In a discussion on the ICC Review, Ponting expressed his admiration for the 25-year-old English cricketer, stating, "He probably is the best Test batter in the world right now. He's doing some pretty amazing things, most of them away from home. That's his seventh hundred away from home out of eight or nine hundred, and it's the way he gets his runs—with class, and he does it quickly. I love watching him play."

Brook began his career with remarkable success, achieving his first four Test centuries in just six matches. Earlier this year, he became the first England player in 34 years to score a triple century, amassing an impressive 317 runs against Pakistan. With 23 matches under his belt, he boasts an average exceeding 60 in the red-ball format.

The upcoming Ashes tour of Australia in 2025-26 will present a significant challenge for Brook, marking his first major overseas tour after missing the series in India earlier this year due to personal reasons.

Brook's next step: translating the Test form to white ball

Ponting expressed his belief that Brook is poised to become one of cricket's most exceptional talents in the years ahead, which influenced his decision to acquire him during the IPL 2024 auction for the Delhi Capitals.

"I secured him in the IPL auction last year because I consider him a generational player," the former DC coach stated. "He is beginning to demonstrate his capabilities at the Test level, and I am confident he can replicate that success across all three formats."

Following a disappointing inaugural season in the IPL, Delhi and Ponting successfully acquired Brook; however, the English batsman was unable to participate that season due to personal matters. In the 2025 auction, after Ponting transitioned to the Punjab Kings, he once again sought to obtain English talent. Nevertheless, Delhi managed to outbid their former coach, ensuring Brook's services for the foreseeable future.

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