Promising England middle-order batter Harry Brook will not be a part of the team that plays five Tests against India, starting January 25 in Hyderabad. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday, January 21, 2024 that Brook will fly back and miss the series due to personal reasons. (More Cricket News)
In a later announcement, the ECB added that Dan Lawrence, another middle-order batter who bowls a bit of off-spin too, will replace Brook. The cricket board said that Lawrence will join the team in the next 24 hours.
ECB's statement on Brook read: "Harry Brook is set to return home with immediate effect for personal reasons from the England Men’s Test tour of India. The Brook family respectfully requests privacy during this time. In light of this, the ECB and the family kindly request the media and the public to respect their wish for privacy and refrain from intruding on their private space."
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Brook had travelled to Abu Dhabi with the England men's Test team for a preparatory camp ahead of the series. The flamboyant right-handed batter made his Test debut in 2022 against South Africa, while his last appearance in England whites was against Australia at the Oval in July 2023.
The 24-year-old Yorkshire batter, who was signed by Delhi Capitals for INR 4 crore at the Indian Premier League 2024 auction, has so far played 12 Test matches. He has scored 1,181 runs in the five-day format at a superb average of 62.15, with four hundreds and seven fifties.
