Joe Root and Harry Brook scored superb centuries to carry England to victory in a 53-run score win against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday to complete a 2-1 series win in the one-day international contest.
After deciding to bat, England were off to an inauspicious start with Ben Duckett (7) and Rehan Ahmed (24) being dismissed in the first 11 overs. With the early pressure mounting, the combination of Root and captain Brookly turned the tide.
Brook launched a breathtaking attack smashing a career best 136 from just 66 deliveries. His innings included notably 11 fours and nine breathtaking sixes where he completely turned the game in England’s favour.
At the other end Root was the perfect partner. Calm and composed, he compiled an unbeaten 111 off 108 balls, turning the strike superbly at the same time allowing Brook to be aggressive. The pair sewed together an unbroken partnership of 191 runs from just 113 balls to bring England to a fantastic 357-3.
Sri Lanka started their chase off on the right foot. Kamil Mishara scored 22 and Pathum Nissanka smashed to a 24-ball half century, three fours and three sixes before Jamie Overton dismissed him. The dismissals of captain Charith Asalanka (13) and Janith Liyanage (22) further hurt the progress of the hosts as England’s bowlers continued to make inroads.
Reduced to 202-6 in the 32nd over, Sri Lanka relied heavily on Pavan Rathnayake who hit a resilient 121, his maiden ODI century. However, wickets still fell at the other end. Rathnayake’s line of resistance came to an end when Sam Curran bowled him in a full delivery, breaking off his leg stump and Sri Lanka was eventually all out for 304.
Brook applauded the team effort, as well as Root’s influence, whilst Asalanka admitted England were difficult to contain. Attention is now focused on the three-match T20 series from Friday which is an important build-up to the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
Also read: England send Rehan Ahmed to open again in Colombo ODI
