According to CricViz, Brook’s outrageous opening shot was just the 11th time in the history of T20/100-ball cricket where a batter has scooped their first ball of the innings for six.
The other player to have achieved the same feat in The Hundred was Steve Eskinazi for Welsh Fire off Southern Brave’s Craig Overton in 2023.
When asked about the shot, Brook told Sky Sports he “just fancied it” and “backed myself” to execute it.
“I haven’t had any plans,” he added. “I have hit my first ball for four or six three times in the comp and I haven’t had a plan to do that.”
That it came off former New Zealand international Southee, who was engaged as England’s bowling coach this summer, added an extra element of intrigue.
There will doubtless be some gentle ribbing to come for Southee from England’s limited-overs captain.
Brook’s eye-catching shot – which travelled 36 metres – even prompted a particularly bold declaration from former England fast bowler Stuart Broad.
“He might just be the best batter we’ve ever produced you know, Harry Brook. Big shout so I don’t say it lightly,” Broad said on X.
It seemed scandalous, though, that Brook only faced 14 balls, potentially depriving the Headingley crowd of both entertainment and more runs towards the Superchargers total.
Michael Pepper, who batted at number three, had struggled early on to hit the ball cleanly, while Brook was sat watching him chew up deliveries.
A couple of lusty blows got Pepper’s strike-rate up to 133.33 when he was out for a 21-ball 28, but that was still way below Brook’s 221.42.
It raised the interesting question of whether Superchargers coach Andrew Flintoff might have considered asking Pepper to retire out?
It would have been a controversial step, but not one without precedent in The Hundred.
In fact there have been three instances: Sam Billings, Wayne Madsen and Imad Wasim all retired out during the 2024 tournament.
Even if he likes batting at four, Brook should consider moving himself up a place for their next match.
