I was trying to be a bit more aggressive today: Harry Brook

Harry Brook’s knock in the second innings all but sealed the game for the hosts. In the process, he became the fastest batter (balls faced) and the fourth fastest English batter (innings played) to reach 1000 Test runs.

It was poetic that it came in at his preferred position in the middle order. Coming in at #3 in the first innings, Brook seemed a bit tentative in his strokeplay. He eventually ended up being dismissed early, when he nicked a Cummins delivery to Smith after scoring just three runs. 

"I was trying to be a bit more aggressive today. I hate it when I nick off when I get stuck on the crease, so I'd rather get caught at second slip playing a massive drive to be honest, but I'm glad I got a few."

He owed his reinstatement to Moeen Ali, who had requested McCullum to be sent up the order to have a go at the opposition. But, it most likely isn’t a permanent solution. But Brook isn’t minding too much.

"I've batted No. 5 for the last four or five years of my career, whether it's with England or Yorkshire, so I probably feel most comfortable there. But I'm happy to just be in the XI."

Having batted in the middle order for most of his recent past, he’s a lot more at batting with lower-order batters and tailenders than most players his age. This was on display during the brilliant 59 run partnership between him and Chris Woakes. 

"Me and Woakesy were just trying to build a partnership there, just trying to go down in fives: we got it down to 40 and we said, 'Let's try and get it down to 35'; then, 'Let's try and get it down to 30. Then obviously I got out, which made it a bit more nerve-wracking.”

"He has been a phenomenal player for England. Obviously, he hasn't played as much in the last couple years but to have him back in the side and play a vital part like he has done there is really good."

Given where they stood in the series coming into the match, this win would taste a whole lot sweeter than most others. It was a must-win, and England were reeling at 171/6 with tailenders to follow. 

The Yorkshire youngster had no qualms admitting to the fact that this was probably the best game he’d been a part of. 

“I think that tops it to be honest. To do it in the Ashes, on my home ground as well, it was very good. It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I'm sure it will after a few drinks."

It's a lot more nerve-wracking when you're sat up there than in the middle," he told Sky Sports. "I'm not one to blow up when I get in the changing room but I had a little blow-up today. I like getting us over the line and yeah, it was annoying that I didn't today, but I'm happy we won.”

"Everybody erupted. We only needed about 20 runs, and I had complete and utter faith in Woakesy and Woody. It was tense for a little while but when Woody hit that six, we kind of knew it was on."

England will next take on the Aussies in the fourth Ashes Test from the 19th of July, after a much-needed 10 day break.