Harry Brook smashes 2nd fastest triple century in Test cricket, becomes 6th English batter to do so
He followed in the footsteps of legendary English batsmen like Wally Hammond and Len Hutton, who also belong to the prestigious triple-century club.
Harry Brook made history on 10 October, Thursday, by scoring a stunning 300 off 310 balls, becoming the second-fastest player to reach a triple century in Test cricket.
His incredible innings came on Day 4 of the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, surpassing Matthew Hayden's record for the second-fastest triple hundred. Hayden had achieved the feat in 362 balls against Zimbabwe in 2003.
Brook's commanding knock included 28 boundaries and 3 sixes, adding to Pakistan's misery in a match where England took control. With his triple century, Brook became the sixth England batter to reach this landmark in Tests. He also became the first active England player to score a triple hundred since David Warner's 335 against Pakistan in 2019.
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The 25-year-old brought up his 300 with a boundary off Saim Ayub's bowling. Brook's innings came after Joe Root had earlier notched a double century, with the pair tormenting the Pakistani bowling attack throughout the day.
Brook reached his double hundred off 245 balls, an effort laced with 18 boundaries and a six. The partnership between Root and Brook was relentless, as the duo steadily extended England's dominance. Root's knock, combined with Brook's aggressive but controlled innings, ensured England took a significant lead over Pakistan.
Beginning the day at 142, Brook was patient early on, focusing on singles and playing watchfully. Root took charge of the scoring in the initial overs, while Brook gradually found his rhythm. His first boundary came in the 107th over, delivered by Naseem Shah, and from there, Brook shifted gears, accelerating as England surpassed Pakistan's first-innings score of 556.
By lunch, Brook had raced to 218, and Root was unbeaten on 259, with their partnership crossing the 400-run mark. After the break, Brook's assault on the Pakistan bowlers continued as he helped push England's total closer to the 800-run mark.
Fastest triple centuries in Test cricket:
- 278 balls – Virender Sehwag (India vs South Africa, Chennai 2008)
- 310 balls – Harry Brook (England vs Pakistan, Multan 2024)
- 362 balls – Matthew Hayden (Australia vs Zimbabwe, Perth 2003)
- 364 balls – Virender Sehwag (India vs Pakistan, Multan 2004)
Brook's feat will undoubtedly go down as one of the great Test innings in modern cricket, adding yet another chapter to England's rich history in the longest format of the game.
