Ben Stokes backs Harry Brook to be biggest six-hitter in Test cricket and predicts Yorkshireman to be in England side for a long time

Stokes’ mission to usurp head coach Brendon McCullum at the top of the list has been an amusing sub-plot since the pair were brought together by director of cricket Rob Key last year.

The all-rounder equalled McCullum’s high watermark of 107 in Pakistan before Christmas and went clear at the summit on day three of England’s 267-run win in Mount Maunganui, launching Kiwi seamer Scott Kuggeleijn over fine leg. The moment brought a round of applause and a broad smile from the man he shunted into second place and Stokes celebrated by hitting another off the very next ball. How far he goes is anyone’s guess, but he thinks he is sharing a dressing room with the man who will overtake him.

Yorkshireman Brook has enjoyed a revelatory start to his international career, winning player of he match in each of the last three games and racking up three centuries in his first eight innings.

He has also cleared the ropes 15 times already, averaging three sixes per Test.

“I was blowing that one over the ropes because I didn’t think it was going to go,” Stokes said of his 108th maximum.

“Brooky will probably break it in the next 20 games the way he is going. I can’t see it being around too long if Harry Brook is in the side.”

And the 23-year-old, who averages a staggering 77.87 at a strike-rate of 96.88, is unlikely to back away from the challenge.

A brutally clean ball-striker, he has been empowered by the current regime to swing hard and is currently reaping the rewards of that optimistic outlook.

“I’ve said a few times now, the amount of freedom we have going out to bat is phenomenal,” he said.