Root’s 262, also his highest Test score, was one of relentlessness and determination.
He scored just 68 of his 264 runs in boundaries meaning the rest were taken by running ones, twos and threes in sweltering heat nearing 40C.
That was made more impressive by the fact, until being dismissed in the 286th over of the match, he had been on the field for all but eight deliveries.
In comparison, Brook crashed 29 fours and three sixes, once again showing his wide-array of attacking shots.
“Harry Brook has the shots of Kevin Pietersen and the rhythm and hunger of Joe Root,” former England captain Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports.
“That is a combination of two of England greatest players.”
Brook, 25, eased beyond his previous best Test score of 186 before attacking further late in his innings. His knock also added to his five centuries in his previous 18 Tests and took his average to 62.50 – the third-highest of any player to have played 20 or more innings.
Root said: “He’s got such a complete game: he can score all around the wicket.
“He plays seam well, spin well and high pace well, and that’s a pretty good recipe for scoring runs.
“I’m not surprised at all in him going on and doing something special like that, but I don’t think it’ll be the last time we see him with a monster score by his name.”