2nd Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, Harry Brook delivered a scintillating performance, scoring 123 runs off 115 balls to guide England to a commanding position by the end of Day 2. This knock was particularly significant, as Brook rated it his "favourite hundred" due to the challenging circumstances under which it was achieved.

England’s batting had faltered early, slipping to 26/3 and then 43/4 after being put in to bat by New Zealand. However, Brook’s counter-attacking brilliance changed the course of the match. His eighth Test century, which was also his second consecutive ton and fourth of the year, came at a crucial time. Brook’s partnership with Ollie Pope, who scored 66 off 78 balls, produced a 174-run stand for the fifth wicket in just 159 balls, lifting England to a total of 280.

Brook reflected on the innings after play, stating that he rated it higher than his career best 317 against Pakistan in Multan. “I think that might be my favourite hundred so far. It was just the circumstances really. It was 26 for 3 when I came in, and the pitch was doing quite a bit. It was seaming and swinging, and I'm just glad I put my attacking mode on and really took it to them,” he said. He credited the pitch at Basin Reserve for being challenging but said he relished the opportunity to take control of the situation and put pressure on the bowlers.

Notably, Brook has been in exceptional form, especially in overseas conditions. Out of his total 2225 runs in Tests, 1464 have come in away matches, where he boasts an average of 91.5. His seven overseas hundreds have come in just 10 Tests, with notable performances in Pakistan (four) and New Zealand (three). "The pitches in Pakistan are usually very nice to bat on. Here you get nice-paced pitches, quick and bouncy, and I feel I can play a different array of shots," he remarked.

Brook's performance has been widely praised, even by New Zealand's Nathan Smith, who took four wickets in the innings but conceded 86 runs. Smith acknowledged Brook's brilliance, stating, "He showed today that we were bowling quite well and he tried to hit us off our lengths using his feet. He played some ridiculous shots, so full credit to him." Smith also compared Brook to other emerging cricketing stars, saying, "He's a crop of that new, young cricketers – those world-class ones. He's world class, right up there."

With New Zealand ending the day at 86/5, England is in a strong position to press for a victory, thanks in large part to Brook's attacking brilliance.