Ben Stokes may no longer be part of England's playing XI, but his voice still carries weight when he evaluates current and former stars. Recently he turned his attention to Harry Brook, a young batsman who many are already comparing to the flamboyant Kevin Pietersen, and he made a striking statement that Brook's raw ability eclipses that of the former England great. Brook, in many respects, embodies the modern incarnation of Pietersen. He possesses a jaw‑dropping skill set that allows him to dismantle any type of bowling attack with apparent ease.
Whether he is pulling off a textbook cover drive or a daring reverse sweep, his range of strokes makes every part of the ground look like a comfortable landing zone. At the same time, his occasional reckless dismissal can leave supporters groaning in disbelief, a trait that mirrors Pietersen's own propensity for spectacular highs and occasional lows.
On Tuesday in Southampton, Brook delivered a masterclass that reminded everyone why he is being hailed as the next big thing. He smashed a blistering 100 off just 42 balls – the second‑fastest century ever recorded for England in T20 Internationals – against Sri Lanka.
The innings featured ten fours and six sixes, including an explosive over in which he struck six boundaries off the bowling of Dunith Wellalage. The performance unfolded in front of a small but significant audience: Kevin Pietersen, now serving as a mentor within Brendon McCullum’s white‑ball coaching team, was watching his former protégé and compatriot take the field. Stokes, who was himself batting a half‑century for Durham against Worcestershire in the County Championship on the same day, took to social media to praise Brook.
He wrote, "I don't even think the genius of KP could come close to what Brook has talent‑wise. You are an absolute freak, Harry. You're mint to watch." A few moments later he added a more measured comment, "Bit harsh on KP actually.
Both are freak talents but Brook is better in my opinion." These remarks have sparked a lively debate among fans, prompting a poll to determine who is the more naturally gifted batsman. While Brook's current form is dazzling, his career longevity still has room to grow.
Pietersen accumulated nearly 14,000 international runs between 2004 and 2014, a tally that was cut short after a well‑publicised fallout with the England and Wales Cricket Board. Brook, by contrast, has already amassed over 6,500 runs since his debut in 2022. At 27, he has the potential to play another decade at the top level, and if he stays injury‑free, he could eventually surpass Pietersen's run total. Brook openly acknowledges the influence Pietersen has had on his development.
After watching highlights of Pietersen’s innings before his recent T20 heroics, Brook said, "He looked at batting slightly differently, in a similar way to me as well. He always wants to put the bowlers under pressure. He was a phenomenal player.
The way he accessed different areas of the ground made it really tricky to captain and bowl to, and I'm looking forward to conversations about that. I mentioned to him earlier about trying to help me read surfaces and using my skills to perform on that pitch as well, not just for white‑ball cricket, Test cricket as well. Hopefully he can have a big impact on my career. He's a hero to a lot of players.
We grew up watching him and it's just awesome to have a man of his calibre in the changing room." Brook's century against Sri Lanka was his first international hundred since a T20 ton against Pakistan in February during the World Cup match at Pallekele. The wait was worth it; his ability to judge length and adjust his footwork was lauded by pundits. Former England captain Eoin Morgan and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara both praised the innings. Sangakkara noted, "He reads length so quickly.
He is very light and nimble on his feet. He has oodles of time and devastating power.
On the back foot against spin, he is very good at hitting over long‑on, long‑off, even square. Then against the pace there is the scoop and reverse paddle or punch down the ground for six.
He has everything." Morgan added, "I think Harry is one of our very best. It is difficult to find a player of recent generations that has Brook's ability. He is coming into his peak years, yet we are seeing absolute genius time and time again in all formats of the game." Morgan’s assessment extends beyond the limited‑overs arena.
Brook’s last Test century came over a year ago, when he scored a hundred against India at The Kia Oval. Since then, he has adopted a more measured approach in the red‑ball format, compiling five fifties across the summer and demonstrating a growing maturity that suggests he can be a mainstay in England’s Test side for years to come.
In the shortest format, however, Brook’s explosive nature shines brightest. The 42‑ball hundred against Sri Lanka was not just a statistical milestone; it was a statement of intent. By striking at a strike rate that would make any T20 specialist proud, he reminded the cricketing world that he possesses the tools to dominate any opposition.
Now, with Pietersen’s mentorship and Stokes’s endorsement, Brook stands at a crossroads where talent, opportunity, and guidance intersect. Whether he ultimately eclipses Pietersen’s legacy remains to be seen, but the trajectory of his career suggests that he is well on his way to becoming one of England’s most prolific run‑scorers. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with the second T20 against Sri Lanka scheduled to begin at 6 pm (first ball at 6.30 pm) on Thursday.
All times are UK and Ireland. The match will also be available via NOW streaming for those without a Sky subscription.