HAIL OF THE CENTURY

Brook puts latest ton right at top of his all-time list

- RORY DOLLARD

THE scoreboard was 26 for three when he walked to the crease and 43 for four soon after.

But Harry Brook stared down a New Zealand pace attack who were making the most of helpful conditions, backing them into a corner with an array of devastating blows to kick-start the second Test.

Only a run out, and an ill-judged attempt at a single, could stop him.

As Brook reflected on a day in which he pounded out 123 runs in just 115 balls, blasting five fearless sixes and 11 fours, he hailed the eye-catching century as his best yet.

Four of the Yorkshireman's eight Test hundreds have been bigger than this one, including 171 in Christchurch last week and a career-best 317 in Multan two months ago, but he believes he has never been better.

"I think that might be my favourite hundred so far, I enjoyed that one a lot," said Brook.