Harry Brook’s blazing 114 sets up England’s 119-run win over Sri Lanka
Harry Brook produced a stunning captain’s innings as England opened their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding 119-run victory at Southampton on Tuesday. The England skipper smashed an unbeaten 114 from 49 balls to power his side to 254/4 before the bowlers completed the job.
Brook walked in after debutant Aneurin Donald and Jos Buttler had given England a flying start, but it was the captain who turned the contest into a one-sided affair. His most destructive moment came in the fifth over, when he took Dunith Wellalage apart for 30 runs, clearing the ropes three times and finding the boundary on three other occasions.
ENG vs SL, 1st T20I: HIGHLIGHTS
England raced to 90/1 in the Powerplay, with Donald making an immediate impact before Buttler continued the charge. Buttler struck 80 from 44 deliveries, and together with Brook, added 128 runs from just 60 balls as Sri Lanka struggled to find an answer to England’s relentless hitting.
Brook had already reached his half-century from only 20 balls and continued to attack with remarkable consistency. He brought up his second T20I century from 42 deliveries, finishing unbeaten on 114 as England narrowly missed the 257 they had posted against India at the same venue in their previous T20I.
Sri Lanka’s chase never threatened to match England’s scoring rate. They lost wickets regularly after a slow start, with Sonny Baker leading the charge for the hosts and finishing with excellent figures of 3/12 as the visitors were bowled out for 135 in 19 overs.
BROOK’S BAT TAKES CENTRE STAGE
England’s batting assault was set up in the opening six overs. Donald struck 12 from five balls on debut before Buttler unleashed four boundaries in an over from Dushmantha Chameera.
Brook then took centre stage against Wellalage, turning the fifth over into a 30-run spectacle. He followed that assault by attacking Dasun Shanaka and brought up his century in just 42 balls.
Buttler’s 80 was equally important in building the platform, with his 128-run partnership with Brook taking England firmly beyond Sri Lanka’s reach. Will Jacks added a late 21 before England finished on 254/4.
BAKER LEADS ENGLAND’S BOWLING CHARGE
Sri Lanka’s reply unravelled quickly as Baker made excellent use of his pace. After the visitors managed only six runs from the opening two overs, the Hampshire quick struck twice in the final over of the Powerplay to remove Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara.
Pathum Nissanka had earlier provided a brief spark with a six before falling to Jacks, while Charith Asalanka failed to make an impact on his return. Dasun Shanaka hit consecutive sixes against Adil Rashid but was dismissed off the very next delivery.
Dunith Wellalage offered some resistance with 33 from 21 balls, but Jamie Overton claimed two wickets and Baker returned to remove Maheesh Theekshana with a fiery 148kph delivery. Liam Dawson then bowled Dushmantha Chameera to end the innings in the 19th over.
England now lead the series 1-0 and will look to carry the momentum into the second T20I.
– Ends
