Former England batter Kevin Pietersen is not happy with Harry Brook's omission from the ODI World Cup 2023 squad. Brook, who had a lacklustre maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) barring the century has not been named in England's provisional squad for World Cup. While Brook may travel with the team as a reserve, Pietersen is still trying to come to terms with the selectors’ decision.
"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.
"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," the 43-year-old further added.
As Brook failed to find a place in the ODI squad, Test skipper Ben Stokes came out of his ODI retirement for the title defence. While Brook was disappointed by the decision he did not want to complain as England’s ODI World Cup 2019 final hero made a comeback.
"Obviously it's disappointing but I can't do anything about it now," Brook was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"You've just got to move on. I'm trying not to think about it anymore. [Stokes] is one of the best players to ever play cricket, so I can't really complain, can I?" he added.
Brook was a vital cog in England's splendid comeback in Ashes 2023 after trailing 0-2. Brook epitomised 'Bazball' and led England’s fightback.
"I feel like I'm playing well at the minute and feel I could potentially add value to the team. [But] there's always something more you could do," said the 24-year-old.
"Although I've played a lot of T20 cricket, I don't know if I've done as well as I have in the past in the last six months, so that might have had an effect," he further added.
England provisional ODI World Cup squad:
Jos Buttler (captain), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
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