ENG vs NZ: Harry Brook takes one step closer to prove Pietersen, Vaughan's World Cup 2023 prediction right

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Harry Brook in his first outing after being dropped from England's preliminary Squad for the World Cup 2023 in India, smashed unbeaten 43 runs off just 27 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

Brook, who is widely considered as a generational talent within England cricket fraternity, was a surprise omission from England's 15-member squad for the 4-match ODI series against New Zealand which is also their provisional World Cup squad.

Picture Courtesy: ICC

Since the announcement, the 24-year-old batter has played four innings, scoring 44 vs London Spirit, 2 vs Manchester Originals and unbeaten 105 off just 42 balls against Welsh Fire in the men's Hundred 2023. In his first outing for England after the snub, the right-hander blasted two fours and three sixes en route to his 43 not out runs off 27 balls.

The youngster was also in top form during the Ashes 2023. He featured in all the five Test matches and scored 363 runs at an average of 40.33 and a strike rate of 78.74. Four fifties came off his bat against a very strong Australia bowling unit.

Former England captains Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan have already predicted that Harry Brook would end up in England's World Cup squad and board the flight to India.

"Harry Brook is different class .. My guess is he will end up at the World Cup," Vaughan predicted on X.

Pietersen went a step ahead and predicted that he would be part of the playing eleven first match for the defending champions - the World Cup 2023 opener against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5.

"My view - Harry Brook will play in England’s first game at the CWC!" Kevin Pietersen has predicted.

Eyes will be on Yorkshire batter in the remaining two T20Is which will be played on September 3 in Birmingham and September 5 in Nottingham.