Colombo, Jan 27 (UNI) Harry Brook slammed a breathtaking unbeaten 136 off just 66 balls to produce one of the finest ODI innings seen at the R Premadasa Stadium, powering England to a formidable 357 as he scripted a scintillating century against Sri Lanka in Third ODI here on Tuesday.
Brook reached his hundred in emphatic fashion off leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, cutting a slower and wider delivery past point for four. As the ball raced to the fence, Brook removed both gloves, raised his arms and celebrated with visible delight, sharing hugs with Joe Root while England teammates applauded from the balcony.
It was his third ODI hundred, and arguably his most commanding, underlining his status as one of world cricket’s most exciting young batters.
The right-hander then fittingly ended England’s innings with a six off Asitha Fernando, backing away to a slower, fuller delivery and lofting it cleanly over extra-cover. The shot brought up his highest ODI score and capped a dominant partnership with Root, as England closed on an imposing 357.
Both batsmen walked off bat-raised to a standing ovation from the Premadasa crowd, with Root graciously urging Brook to lead the way before exchanging bat taps near the boundary.
The real entertainment began when Brook joined Root at the crease. Brook’s inside-out strokes over extra-cover were a delight, while even good-length deliveries disappeared into the stands with disdainful pulls and lofted hits.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers wilted under the sustained onslaught, shoulders dropping as the heat and humidity took their toll. Wanindu Hasaranga and Vandersay appeared to struggle with cramps, but Brook remained relentless, operating on a different plane altogether.
Coming in during the 32nd over, Brook (136 not out off 66 balls, 11 fours and nine sixes) outshone even the ever-reliable Root with a belligerent century.
Root, in his typically elegant style, compiled his 20th ODI hundred with an unbeaten 111 off 108 deliveries, striking nine fours and a six, as England posted a total that has left Sri Lanka facing a daunting chase.
