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Harry Brook misses Ashes hundred at SCG as Gilchrist commentator's curse strikes

Akshita Patel

Harry Brook cursed by Adam Gilchrist [Source: @BhttDNSH100, @foxcricket/X.com]Harry Brook cursed by Adam Gilchrist [Source: @BhttDNSH100, @foxcricket/X.com]

The Ashes 2025 took a dramatic turn at the SCG, where England and Australia are competing in the fifth and final Test. Harry Brook missed his hundred by 16 runs, and the blame shifted to commentator Adam Gilchrist.

Brook was batting beautifully on the second day, driving with confidence and edging closer to what would have been his first Ashes hundred in Australia. 

He knitted a 169-run partnership with Joe Root to guide England to 300+ runs total.

Adam Gilchrist’s curse ruins Harry Brook

Meanwhile, sitting in the commentary box, Adam Gilchrist began talking about the mental weight that can sit on a batter’s shoulders without a century Down Under. 

He pointed to Joe Root, who waited more than a decade before finally scoring one in Australia, and suggested that a hundred here would free Harry Brook from similar pressure in future tours. 

It was a fair observation. It was also perfectly timed for the so-called commentator’s curse. Almost immediately after Gilchrist finished speaking, Brook edged Scott Boland to slip and was out for 84. The groan around the ground said it all. 

Even Adam Gilchrist could only laugh awkwardly as Isa Guha shot him a knowing look. 

Harry Brook had played one of England’s best innings of the series, but once again, the milestone slipped away. That, however, was only half the story.

Brook caught in his own web of words

Earlier in the match, Harry Brook had shared a light-hearted dig at Australia’s bowling options. 

Speaking after the opening day, he joked about the hosts using what felt like a five- or six-seam attack and casually included Marnus Labuschagne in that list, clearly hinting at his part-time status. 

However, on day two, with England building a solid partnership between Joe Root and Jamie Smith, Labuschagne was thrown the ball. What followed was a gentle short ball outside off stump. Smith went after it, misjudged the shot completely, and skied an easy catch to deep cover.

Former Australia coach Justin Langer called it “one of the dumbest shots you’ll ever see in Test cricket.”

Meanwhile, Harry Brook, watching from the dressing room, could only smile wryly. First, the commentator’s words had undone him. Then, his own joke came back through an unexpected wicket.