England’s Harry Brook says he is learning to be more patient at the crease after a challenging Ashes series in Australia.
SYDNEY: England batsman Harry Brook admitted he is learning to temper his aggressive instincts after a frustrating Ashes tour.
The flamboyant 26-year-old said the challenging series in Australia taught him when to curb his natural attacking approach.
Brook made his highest score of the series with an unbeaten 78 on the opening day of the fifth Test in Sydney.
“I’ve just got to be a little bit more patient and take my ones here and there,” he said after propelling England to 211-3 at stumps.
“I did that in a couple of the other innings as well. So that’s something I’ve got to think about going forward.”
Brook explained he needed to absorb pressure differently on Australian pitches.
He said this meant “taking my ones instead of trying to hit boundaries, then so be it.”
His 154-run partnership with Joe Root featured 35 singles alongside six fours and a six.
This methodical stand contrasted with England’s usual ultra-aggressive “Bazball” style.
“It’s been a frustrating series I’ve had,” Brook added.
“I’ve been in double figures every innings, bar one, and that’s what I’ve done so well in my career.”
The destructive batsman has blasted 10 Test centuries but struggled to convert starts in Australia.
“It just hasn’t happened this series … it’s all part of the learning curve,” he said.
Brook acknowledged touring Australia presented unique challenges for batsmen.
“The surfaces do change every game and throughout the game,” he noted.
He remained optimistic about future tours despite England losing the series.
“So it’s been a good trip to be a part of, and obviously we’ve ended up on the wrong side of it, but hopefully there’ll be plenty more times to come over here.”
