GEORGE DOBELL IN MOUNT MAUNGANUI: The England and Yorkshire batter struck an inspired 89 on day one of the first New Zealand Test, missing out on not one but two pieces of history in the process
Harry Brook has admitted he needs to put the thought of breaking records out of his head if he is to score even more runs for England.
Brook batted masterfully on the first day of the Test series against New Zealand, scoring 89 from 81 balls.
But at one stage he looked set to register not only the fastest Test century - in terms of balls received - by an England man, but become the first man in history to score four tons in his first seven innings.
As it was, he fell 11 short and afterwards admitted that the knowledge of various records - not least the possibility of his becoming just the second England man to score four centuries in successive Tests (Ken Barrington is the only one) - had played on his mind.
He also confessed that the record for the fastest century by an England man - currently 76 balls and set by Gilbert Jessop in 1902 - had been on his mind.
Brook played on for 89 (Phil Walter/Getty Images)
"Yes, I was aware of the [Barrington] record," said Brook, who was bowled by Neil Wagner. "The BBC told me the other day and it did stick in my mind a little bit.
"I was aware of that fastest century one as well. Obviously, I need to get that out of the back of my mind and concentrate on getting to a 100.
"To be fair, I went for it a couple of times in Pakistan."
The Yorkshireman scored an 80-ball century in the first innings in Rawalpindi and was out to his 65th ball for 87 in the second.
Brook's primary emotion was not disappointment, though. Instead, he was delighted to contribute to another day when England took the upper hand in a Test, declaring on 325 for 9 and then reducing New Zealand to 37 for 3.
Late wickets cemented England's position of authority (MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
"I’m not bothered now to be honest," he said. "I'm just glad that I've got another Test 89.
"It's disappointing but I'd have bitten your hand off for an 80 again."
He also felt the gamble to declare early - England made the earliest declaration in their Test history - had been vindicated by taking three New Zealand wickets in the final 18 overs of the day. England declared with nine wickets down to allow their bowlers a chance to bowl at the New Zealand top-order under lights.
"Yes, the gamble paid off," he said. "The best time to bowl is under these lights. You can extract the most amount of swing and seam so why not try and expose their top order to that?
"It's the hardest time to bat and we've got three of the best bowlers to ever play the game. And thankfully we got three wickets."
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