Ricky Ponting hails Harry Brook as world’s best batter

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has showered accolades on England’s young star Harry Brook, labeling him as the current "best batter in the world."  

Brook climbed to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings on Wednesday, overtaking his compatriot Joe Root. This milestone came on the back of Brook’s remarkable eighth Test century, which he scored in the second Test against New Zealand.  

Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review, Ponting expressed his admiration for Brook’s exceptional batting skills, particularly his ability to perform in challenging overseas conditions.  

"He probably is (the best Test batter in the world) right now," Ponting remarked. "He’s achieving remarkable feats, and most of them are in away conditions. Out of his seven or eight hundreds, the majority have come away from home. The elegance with which he scores, coupled with his ability to amass runs quickly under England’s new aggressive approach, makes him a delight to watch," he added.   

Brook’s brilliance has also drawn praise from veteran England batter Joe Root. Highlighting Brook’s versatility against both spin and pace, Root described him as a player capable of handling pressure, dominating bowlers, and scoring in innovative ways.  

"Brooky (Harry Brook) is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute. He can absorb pressure, he can apply it. He can whack you over your head for six. He can scoop you over his head for six. He can smack spin. He can smack seam," Root said.  

Root further emphasized the synergy Brook shares with Ollie Pope, stating, "Their partnership makes it incredibly difficult for bowlers to halt the momentum. They played exceptionally well together," he added.   

Brook’s meteoric rise in Test cricket, coupled with recognition from cricketing greats, underscores his status as one of the brightest talents in the modern game.