Joe Root and Harry Brook in action Joe Root and Harry Brook in action

Joe Root believes team-mate Harry Brook is "by far and away the best player in the world" after both men starred in England’s second Test victory against New Zealand. (More Sports News)888pso

Brook backed up his century in the first Test with another in Wellington, before Root reached three figures in the second innings.

The pair are ranked first and second in the ICC Test match rankings – Root on top and his fellow Yorkshireman behind him – but the former England captain insists Brook is the better player.

Root told BBC Sport: "To be able to construct an innings like that off the back of another exceptional hundred the week before, with such an all-round game - 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.

"Brooky is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute."

Player of the Match Harry Brook  pic.twitter.com/wqee1EOvit

— England Cricket (@englandcricket)December 8, 2024

Brook's Test average of 61.62 is the third-highest of any batter to have played at least 20 Test innings, while 2,280 runs from 23 Tests is the most of any England player in history after that number of games.

Only four men have made more Test centuries than Root's 36, though, and Brook was full of praise for his senior partner.

He said: "I'm trying to catch him but he [Root] is too good, isn’t he? He’s obviously one of the best players, if not the best player, to have ever played the game.

"It's mega to play with him and he’s awesome to watch."

Root is the leading scorer (1,470) in Test cricket in 2024, having struck a career-joint-best six 100s in the year.

The final Test of England's three-match series against the Black Caps begins in Hamilton on Saturday as the tourists aim for a whitewash victory.888pso

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