He is a class act and has been since he came into the Derbyshire side in 2020. Long-time readers and supporters will recall the 'battle' for the gloves with Harvey Hosein, with a number of supporters hoping the locally-reared lad won out.
I was always in the other camp, respecting the ability of Harvey, yet appreciating what extra Brooke brought to the team. He often doesn't get mentioned in comments these days, because his standards are so high. He rarely misses a game, regardless of the format and he maintains a very high standard with bat and gloves. He has made more than a thousand all-format runs in each of the last three summers and has kept very well against pace and spin alike.
He can bat anywhere in the order and, while some don't deem it important, always looks like he is having a lot of fun. He must take a ball very cleanly, because in his time at the club he has had only one broken finger - which he played through, rather illustrating his attitude and importance to the side.
Being back up keeper to him is similar to having the same role to Bob Taylor, many years back. They are completely different cricketers, but each has been inked into the team without any real thought, because of their high standards. Every team hopes for a top wicket keeper who can handle a bat and Derbyshire certainly have one.
He is coming into his peak and it is heartening that he will be spending those years, at least, with the club that gave him the opportunity to play first class cricket, when it didn't work out at Lancashire.
As I wrote recently, only Golden Age hero Bill Storer, with twelve centuries while keeping wicket has exceeded the seven that Brooke has in red ball cricket so far.
I would be prepared, even as a non-gambler, to put money on him being top of the pile by the time he finishes with the county.
I just hope that is many years away.
More great news in what is so far a hugely enjoyable season.
Superb news
ReplyDeleteGreat news. I also think that batting at 5 should enable him to become more prolific & hopefully some international recognition. However I’m not convinced that he is our best option for T20, Donald keeping may be a better option.
ReplyDeleteMarkB
Great news on Guest signing.
ReplyDeleteHosein was a superbly talented player whom we were sadly deprived of seeing enter his prime due to recurrent head injuries at just 24. I suspect were Harvey to have avoided said injury problems both would have been fixtures in our side and it's a real shame we didn't get to see this.
Guest is an extremely fine batsman. He's technically sound, plays some wonderful cover drives, and he can get on with it if required.
ReplyDeleteI should also have said that Guest is also an excellent keeper.
ReplyDeleteA sign of a first class wicketkeeper is when you don't notice them in the field. We have a very fine exponent of the art for the foreseeable future now, so it's a thumbs up from me.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. He’s a brilliant keeper and batsman and Derbyshire have done very well in getting him to sign a new deal. This season keeps looking better and better
ReplyDeleteExcellent news. Rather enjoying this season, thus far
ReplyDeleteAndy