Harry Brook Claims India Was 'Afraid' of England's Batting Strength

Brook's Controversial Remarks on India's Strategy

Harry Brook, the England batter, has stirred the pot with his assertion that Team India was 'afraid' of England's batting prowess, especially after India set a daunting target of 608 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston. His comments followed England's remarkable chase of 371 runs in the first Test at Headingley, marking their second-highest successful run chase in Test cricket history. Brook suggested that India's decision to set such a high target was a reaction to their previous defeat, indicating a shift from a more relaxed approach to a desperate attempt to avoid another loss.

In a press conference before the Manchester Test, Brook stated, 'We observed them setting an outrageous total for us at Edgbaston. They seemed a bit intimidated by the prospect of giving us a target we could actually chase. This worked to our advantage and boosted our confidence for the upcoming matches.'

Despite England's struggles in the Edgbaston Test, Brook noted that the high target actually lifted the team's morale. He praised the Headingley victory as a testament to the team's resilience and credited captain Ben Stokes for his composed leadership during the tense final moments of the Edgbaston match.

'Chasing that total at Headingley was an incredible win. The fight and determination we displayed to secure that last wicket, along with Stokes' skills and patience during a challenging period, were thrilling to witness. It certainly kept everyone on the edge of their seats,' he remarked.

In other news, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a change to the squad for the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford. Spinner Liam Dawson returns to the Test setup after an eight-year hiatus, replacing the injured Shoaib Bashir. The 35-year-old all-rounder last played a Test match in July 2017 and is the only change to the playing XI.