IPL: Harry Brook dazzles with century for Sunrisers Hyderabad

England batsman Harry Brook's stock continues to soar as he notched his maiden IPL century.

Brook, 24, was a big-money signing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the player auction and he rewarded the franchise's faith in him with a 55-ball ton in a high-scoring victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Sunrisers are 5/1 to reach the IPL final at the end of May while Brook should also have a big role to play in England's Ashes series against Australia, which starts on 16th June.

Brilliant Brook blossoms at Eden Gardens

What	Indian Premier League 2023
Where	Final taking place at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
When	Sunday 28th May 2023
How to watch	Live on Sky Sports Cricket
Odds (To Reach The Final)	Lucknow Super Giants 2/1, Gujarat Titans 2/1, Rajasthan Royals 2/1, Chennai Super Kings 10/3, Sunrisers Hyderabad 5/1

Brook is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket but he made a slow start to his maiden IPL campaign, scoring 13, three and 13 in his first three innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He batted in the middle-order for England in last year's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in Australia but is opening the batting for the Sunrisers and that promotion paid off in style at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.

Brook batted through the innings, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 55 deliveries, as Hyderabad racked up a match-winning total of 228-4 against the Knight Riders.

It was the first century of the 2023 IPL season, eclipsing Shikhar Dhawan's 99 not out for Punjab Kings against the Sunrisers as the highest individual score, and Brook is the fifth Englishman, after Kevin Pietersen, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, to make an IPL hundred.

Sunrisers skipper Markram poses threat in top-runscorer race

What	Indian Premier League 2023, Sunrisers Hyderabad Top Team Batter
How to watch	Live on Sky Sports Cricket
Odds	HC Brook 13/10, AK Markram 5/2, RA Tripathi 3/1, M Agarwal 13/2, Abhishek Sharma 16/1

Brook is 13/10 to finish the IPL season as Sunrisers Hyderabad's Top Team Batter although he could face competition from his franchise captain Aiden Markram, who is 5/2 to top the runscoring chart for his side.

South Africa ace Markram dominated a third-wicket partnership with Brook against Kolkata, hitting five sixes in a blistering 26-ball 50, although the England man should benefit from opening the batting.

The experienced Rahul Tripathi is 3/1 to be Hyderabad's leading batter this term and he showcased his hitting ability, cracking an unbeaten 74 in their first win of the season against Punjab. 

Brook's opening partner Mayank Agarwal is 13/2 but his place is under pressure after scoring 65 runs from 63 balls in his first four appearances.

England's rising star targeting Ashes glory this summer

What	Ashes Series 2023
Where	The five Test matches take place at Edgbaston, Lord's, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval
When	Friday 16th June to Monday 31st July 2023
How to watch	Live on Sky Sports Cricket
Odds	England 10/11, Australia 6/4, Draw 6/1

Brook enjoyed an extraordinary year in 2022, making his England debut in all three formats, and 2023 is shaping up to be even better.

The Yorkshire right-hander has established himself in the Test team, scoring 468 runs in December's 3-0 series win in Pakistan and making 186 in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington in February.

Brook's stunning range of shots makes him a perfect fit for England's ultra-positive approach under coach Brendon McCullum and he scored 329 runs in the two-Test series in New Zealand at a strike-rate of 110 per 100 balls - better than Sunrisers teammate Agarwal has managed in this season's IPL.

Brook averages 80.9 after 10 Test innings, with four centuries and three fifties, and England supporters will be hoping he can maintain that staggering start to his career in this summer's Ashes.

England are 10/11 to beat 6/4 Australia in a five-match series starting at Edgbaston on 16th June and the draw can be backed at 6/1. The third Test of the series is at Brook's home ground Headingley, where he scored a career-best 194 for Yorkshire against Kent in last season's County Championship.

Brook should be one of the main attractions of this summer's Ashes and England cricket's brightest young star is 14/1 to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 with his Test skipper Stokes 13/2 and veteran fast bowler James Anderson 20/1.