Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has boldly predicted that Harry Brook will feature in the opening game of the 2023 ODI World Cup despite not making it into the provisional squad for the competition.
Pietersen's claim comes on the back of Brook's impressive century in England's The Hundred cricket tournament. The batsman smashed the bowlers all over the park to score 105 off 42 balls for the Nothern Superchargers to propel his team to a respectable total of 158/7 in the 20 overs.
Bet on The Hundred from India here
What did Kevin Pietersen say about Harry Brook's World Cup chances?
On social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Pietersen wrote: "My view - Harry Brook will play in England’s first game at the CWC!"
My view - Harry Brook will play in England’s first game at the CWC!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) August 23, 2023
Pietersen had earlier expressed astonishment at Brook's exclusion from the 2022 ODI World Cup squad, describing him as "pure quality." In light of this, Pietersen's recent endorsement of Brook's potential for the upcoming World Cup carries weight.
"I'm absolutely flabbergasted that [Brook] cannot make England's World Cup squad because he is pure quality. I just cannot believe it," Pietersen told Sky Sports after England's provisional squad was announced.
"I saw this guy at Headingley two years ago when The Hundred took off and I immediately saw a superstar. I saw someone playing 360, who could hit the same balls over extra-cover or midwicket," he added.
Brook has been excluded due to his inconsistent performances in the Indian Premier League. Despite hitting a century during the 2023 IPL season, he could not sustain his form. However, he has been included in the reserves which will allow ECB to pull him back in if he continues to fire on all cylinders in the lead-up to the World Cup.
What is England's provisional squad for the World Cup?
Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
