Red-hot Harry Brook made a majestic 184 not out to put England firmly in control against New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Joe Root was also unbeaten on a classy 101 as the tourists blazed their way to 315-3 before rain ended the opening day of the series decider early.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brook's breathtaking display at the Basin Reserve made him the first player to score 800 or more runs in his first nine Test innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 24-year-old came to the crease with England wobbling at 21-3 inside the first seven overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It then became the Brook show as he took his Test average to just over 100 in only his sixth match. He has four tons already.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brook rated his Wellington knock as the best of his fledgling Test career given England's precarious situation when he came in to bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We lost three early wickets, which isn't ideal, but then I came out and tried to counter-punch a bit and be as positive as we could be. Thankfully it came off," said Brook.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl on a green wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That decision paid instant reward as the hosts quickly tore through England's top order of Zak Crawley (two), Ben Duckett (nine) and Ollie Pope (10).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Matt Henry and skipper Tim Southee did the early damage for the hosts under blue skies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Henry, back after missing the first Test with the birth of his child, forced Crawley into being caught behind as the opener's sticky run continued.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
All-rounder Michael Bracewell then made two superb catches in the slips to first dismiss Pope, then Duckett.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The removal of Duckett following Bracewell's diving catch gave Southee a 700th international wicket in all formats, becoming the first New Zealander to reach the milestone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brook was player of the match in the first Test with back-to-back half-centuries to help England to a 267-run win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He continued the remarkable start to his Test career with a magnificent unbeaten knock laced with 24 fours and five sixes. His 184 came off 169 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alongside former skipper Root, he helped steer England out of trouble to 101-3 at lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brook, in particular, and Root then put on a dazzling display of "Bazball" -- the attacking cricket England are now renowned for under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They put on 294 in an unbeaten partnership that left New Zealand with no answers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Having got off to that start -- which wasn’t ideal -- all we could do was bat the way we have done over the last couple of months and create a partnership," said Brook.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Over the years I have always enjoyed watching 'Rooty' play, but I probably enjoy batting with him as much as watching.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Both being from Yorkshire, we have spent quite a lot of time together with a bit of banter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I feel like we both enjoyed ourselves out there. His defence was immaculate."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
There was no let-up as the afternoon wore on with Brook adding to his three previous centuries against Pakistan in December.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Root was more steady but no less decisive, slapping his 29th Test century but first in eight Tests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the end, only the rain could stop them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's a tough day of Test cricket," said the bowler Henry.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"England batted very well, Joe Root and Harry Brook were excellent today and managed to put us under pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We have another chance tomorrow to bring it to them."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England, who have won 10 of their last 11 Tests, stuck with the same team that convincingly won the opening game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n