‘Ridiculous’ – England legend fumes at star’s ‘mind blowing’ moment during second Ashes Test

Matt Prior and several England fans were left baffled as Harry Brook got himself into big trouble during the second Ashes Test.

After an excellent 117 partnership from Joe Root and Zak Crawley, Brook joined the former at the crease.

He made a decent start before attempting an audacious scoop, despite Alex Carey standing up to the stumps.

Brook ended up getting it all wrong with a wild swipe at the ball that left him out of his crease.

Carey quickly gathered and knocked the stumps over.

Brook looked to be in trouble, but it appeared he got his foot down in time.

However, the square leg umpire wasn’t sure, and he sent it upstairs for review.

The review showed just how close Brook was to getting out, and it left Prior and several England fans furious.

On TNT’s commentary, England and Ashes legend Prior slammed Brook’s decision to play that shot early in his innings of the second Ashes Test.

He said: “It’s ridiculous.

“Harry Brook is the second-best batter in the world just bat normally for an hour.

“What is that shot?”

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When quizzed further about whether that was a plan or it was down to the individual, Prior said: “Ultimately, when you are out there, it comes down to the individual.

“England have Australia under pressure, and he tries something like that.”

And it would be fair to say that England cricket fans agree.

One on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “Could you imagine how good Harry Brook would be if he owned a brain.”

Another added: “What on earth is Harry Brook doing! I’m all for entertainment/bazball but that is mind blowing. 30overs in and trying to get back into the series. Baffling.”

Finally, one more said: “Love Matt Prior absolutely laying into Brook there, this is so so pathetic.”

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Poor shot selection

With the pink ball and pitch doing very little, the ninth ball of Brook’s innings wasn’t the time for him to try a shot like that.

After Crawley and Root had broken history with their stand, a more sensible approach to batting would have been advisable.

Instead, he tried that.

Now, he got away with it, and he did put on a 50 partnership with Root, but he’s now gone.

Mitchell Starc has taken his third wicket of the Test match, with Brook adding 31 to the score.

But the visitors are in a good position in the Test from where they were.

Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were removed for nothing by Starc to leave England at 5-2 after Ben Stokes won the toss.

But thanks to Crawley and Root, the score has progressed close to 200.

However, we are about to enter a crucial period of the Test with twilight fast approaching in this day-night Test.

This is where Starc is at his most dangerous and also where the pink ball comes into its own.