Captain Harry Brook became the first England batter to score a double century in a one-day international, smashing an unbeaten-in-spirit 202 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi in the tri-series. The innings came a day after England lost their opening match to Pakistan on the same ground, and Brook had called for his batters to play with more positivity.
Brook's strokeplay was irresistible. Facing 116 balls, he mixed innovation with brutal power and deft touches, hitting 10 sixes and 21 fours. His knock was marked by measured acceleration: the 27-year-old managed only 13 runs from his first 24 deliveries before reaching 50 from 42 balls. His fourth ODI century came up in 75 balls, and it was after reaching three figures that he really cut loose, moving from 100 to 200 in just 39 balls.
Brook built his innings on a 159-run third-wicket stand with Joe Root, who was out for 69. England then promoted Will Jacks to number five, and he and Brook added an unbroken 185 from only 79 balls. Jacks hit a 25-ball half-century on his way to 66 not out. In the final 10 overs England added 156 runs, and Brook passed Ben Stokes' record for England with a six off a full toss from left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka. He was dropped on 185 in the same over.
Brook reached his double hundred in the final over of the innings, bowled by Janith Liyanage, with a paddled sweep that sent Jacks into celebration before the ball reached the boundary. Two balls later, he was caught at third man, and he and Jacks walked off arm in arm.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing