19 February 2023 , 08:26
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England captain Ben Stokes believes Harry Brook "will go on to be a global superstar" after the 23-year-old was named player of the match for a third consecutive Test.
Brook struck 89 and 54 in England's 267 run win over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui and has now scored 623 runs at an average of 77.87 since making his Test debut last summer against South Africa.
"Brooky is carrying on from his amazing series in Pakistan," Stokes said following England's first win in New Zealand in 15 years. "He is a fantastic talent.
"I think he will go on to be a global superstar. The more senior guys with the bat have to take a lot of credit for allowing the young guys to go out and express themselves.
"They are trying to put on a show, which is what everyone wants to do and is being allowed to do. It has taken the weight off everyone's shoulders and the expectation only comes from the dressing room."
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And Stokes also believes Brook will go on to surpass him as the biggest six-hitter in Test history, having taken the record from coach Brendon McCullum during this game. Stokes has smashed 109 sixes in his Test career, while McCullum basted 107.
Stokes broke Brendon McCullum's record for the most sixes in Test history, but he is already backing Brook to surpass him (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)Just five Tests into his career, Brook has already struck 15. Reflecting on the moment he overtook McCullum, Stokes said: "I was blowing that one over the ropes because I didn't think it was going to go.
"When it went, it was like I picked Brendon up off my shoulder and dropped him. He said 'well done' to me and I just said 'Brooky will probably break it in the next 20 games the way he is going'.
"I can't see it being around too long if Harry Brook is in the side, which I imagine he will be for a long time going forward." Brook, meanwhile, hailed Stokes and McCullum for the "amount of freedom" they allow England to play with.
"I've said a few times now, the amount of freedom we have going out to bat is phenomenal," Brook said. "I've never felt like that before. I feel like I can go out and do whatever I want.
"Even if there's still people on the boundary, I'm still allowed to try to clear them. The amount of freedom is remarkable. It's been fun. I've played five games now and enjoyed every single one of them. Obviously I haven't had a loss yet, which makes it all the better.
"We're playing in such a positive style, taking the bowlers on and looking to score. I think you get away with more when you're batting. You get away with the nicks or little inside edges because you are being positive."