I was going to sign the three-year contract as soon as England called: Harry Brook

Harry-Brook. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

In an expected move, Harry Brook has committed to a three-year deal with England, turning down potentially lucrative franchise options. At just 24, and having become an IPL millionaire in 2022, Brook now has decided to opt for passion over price.

Speaking about his decision, Brook expressed unwavering loyalty to the national team and said that he was going to sign the contract straight away.

“Straight away as soon as England called, I was going to sign the contract. I’ve wanted to play for England all my life,” he said, dismissing any notion of negotiating with other franchises, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Brook, Mark Wood, and Joe Root have signed three-year central contracts with the ECB. While Root and Wood, in their 30s, might find security in long-term deals, it’s noteworthy that Brook, at 24, has also opted for a rare extended commitment.

As one of the most talented batters of this generation, Brook’s decision is undoubtedly a boost for the national side. His commitment allows England to manage the workload of a player who, after a challenging World Cup campaign, admitted to feeling the need for a break.

Since his Test debut in September 2022, Brook has played 45 matches for England, a workload that surpasses all others in the team. Despite the possibility of resting for the ODIs, Brook expressed his happiness at being part of the West Indies tour.

“Obviously England made that decision but I’m happy to be out here to be honest. It’s a different lifestyle. I’ve been waking up at six o’clock every morning and jumping in the sea so it’s been an enjoyable tour so far,” Brook said of the potential to have had an extended rest.

This West Indies tour also serves as an opportunity for Brook to hone his skills in the one-day format where he has limited experience. Reflecting on his performance in the first ODI, where he scored a commendable 71, Brook acknowledged his struggle to find the right tempo in this format.

“I liked the way I went about my innings. I’ve struggled a little bit in this format at the start of my career. I haven’t quite found the tempo of how I wanted to play,” he admitted.

Despite his commitment to England, Brook has not ruled out participating in the IPL. However, he highlighted the challenges of being in India for an extended period and the impact of social media on mental health. Brook shared,

“In India, you can end up sitting in your hotel room with not much stuff to do. I’ve been off social media for a while now. So anything I stumble across, I delete it from the phone…I think that’s helped my game, helped my mental health and everything, to be off social media and seeing all the negativity that brings,” he added.