Brook

Brook remains one of England’s most fascinating cricketers.

Despite being white-ball skipper and serving as Test vice-captain, he was overlooked for the red-ball job when Ben Stokes retired, with Joe Root preferred.

He averages a formidable 53.08 in Tests – the highest for England in almost 60 years – with 10 centuries, but often draws criticism for his aggressive, some say reckless, batting.

While he has failed to convert any of his seven fifties into centuries since the Ashes, he still averages 41.57 and has scored hundreds as captain in T20s and one-day internationals in that time.

“I enjoy the extra responsibility,” he said. “I like the extra little bit of added pressure.

“I’m not going to go out there and score runs every time I bat but I want to be the man that is in that match-winning situation who can get us over the line.

“I know there have been a few innings where I haven’t managed to do that but hopefully I’ve turned that corner and I can really be the man England fans and the team rely on.”

The debate around Brook was perhaps best summed up by Stokes telling the Yorkshireman he is talented enough to average 65 or 70.

“Personally I’m not that bothered about the stats, I’ve always said I think there should be a match-winning column in your stats – that’s not there,” Brook said.

“I write stuff down and I try and judge myself on whether I’ve had a match-winning performance or match-winning impact in that specific game and I try and tally it up at the end of the year and see how well I’ve done.”

TOWIE’S Jordan Brook has revealed his brain will be damaged forever as he gave fans an emotional health update following his meningitis battle.

Earlier this year, the 31-year-old told how he had been diagnosed with viral meningitis and encephalitis and spent weeks in hospital after falling ill.

Jordan faced a terrifying battle to survive for his unborn child – as the virus attacked his brain, leaving him unable to speak or walk.

Now Jordan has given fans a new health update after looking over his MRI scans at a follow-up appointment.

He said: “It’s a real and bittersweet feeling when you see a picture of your brain and you see that there is damage there that will be there forever.

“I’m so proud of myself and how far I’ve come and really feel that I’m making that recovery. I’m almost at the six months mark now, which is a huge milestone in brain recovery.”

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Speaking about the scan pictures, Jordan continued: “Imagine breaking your leg or your arm… you will always see that scar on your body and this is one unfortunately you can’t see it, it’s in the head.

“It’s just a reminder about how bad these infections can be on the brain and that they can affect anyone.

“I’m doing everything I can do in my power to help people and raise awareness. I’ve got a lovely charity that I’m working closely with, we’re gonna do some amazing things.”

“I’m so determined to be me, I’m feeling like Jordan again. The energy is high, just got to keep going and fighting through this,” he added.

Jordan captioned the post: “I’ve just come out of another follow-up appointment and today I got to see my MRI and the scarring that’s been left on my brain.

“I won’t lie, seeing it was hard to take. But if this journey has taught me anything, it’s how resilient we really are.

“There are good days and difficult ones, but I’m still here, still recovering and still moving forward.”

One fan wrote: “You are an amazing human been through so much staying positive always is key keep going Jordan take care of yourself.”

Another fan penned: “You have come a long way and have achieved so much. Seeing how poorly you were to where you are now is testament to you.

“Enjoy your family with Soph and Brody. Onwards and upwards Jord!”

Jordan recently fought back tears as he recalled the scary moment doctors suspected he had brain cancer.

After going through a lumbar puncture – a procedure in which spinal fluid is drained and examined in a lab – doctors told him they were considering the possibility that he might have had brain cancer.

During an episode of By the Brook podcast, which he hosts with his girlfriend Sophie Kasaei, Jordan said: “Obviously, the doctors have to give you the worst case scenario.

“That’s when the doctors said, ‘We can’t rule out brain cancer.

“Now, to hear that when you’ve got your girlfriend sat next to you who’s seven months pregnant with a baby you’ve waited for so long…”

Jordan added: “You never want to hear that about your kids. Sophie’s holding my kid.

“You never want to hear about your partner. It was the worst time of our lives ever.”

Pietersen’s eyes roll slightly when he is asked about Ben Stokes’ recent comments comparing Harry Brook’s talents to his.

Pietersen, like Brook, was a maverick – a batter capable of incredible highs. Those highs mean the lows come with a disproportionate level of criticism.

“Where I can help him is playing situations, because there was a lot of method in my madness,” Pietersen says.

“Yes, occasionally, I got out to reckless shots and crazy shots in the ’80s and ’90s but there was a lot of structure to the way that I batted.

“I’ve still got notes on my phone on how I played in T20 cricket, one-day cricket, Test match cricket, and about hitting straight back at the stumps, and the techniques, and how I did it, and don’t play certain shots.

“That all-round structure is something I could potentially help him with because he’s so flipping good.

“It’s actually frightening how good he is and how good he can be.”

And Pietersen says he will not limit himself to working purely on white-ball cricket.

He has already spoken to new Test coach Stephen Fleming about how he can help the Test batters during his time with the white-ball squads.

Though he said he would not have time for a full-time role, he suggested he is open to working with the Test side before next summer’s home Ashes series.

“I have got a pretty mad schedule,” he says. “I wouldn’t say no.

“I don’t think that necessarily means I need to be in a dressing room.

“There is a lot of time in the lead up to an Ashes series and a tour of South Africa, when I will be with the Test batters.

“There are conversations I can have there.”

Who knows how long this will last. England may as well make the most of this second chance.