Harry Brook blasts a 66-ball 136* against Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI. Read the full match report on England’s massive 357/3 total and Joe Root’s century.
England Inning
| Player Name | Runs | Balls |
| Rehan Ahmed | 24 | 37 |
| Ben Duckett | 7 | 17 |
| Joe Root | 111* | 108 |
| Jacob Bethell | 65 | 72 |
| Harry Brook (C) | 136* | 66 |
In a display of sheer dominance and modern aggressive batting, England captain Harry Brook played the innings of a lifetime, smashing an unbeaten 136 off just 66 balls against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. In a match that served as the series decider with the score locked at 1-1, Brook’s explosive knock, combined with a classic century from Joe Root, powered England to a mammoth total of 357 for 3 in their 50 overs. The innings not only silenced the crowd but also made a bold statement following Brook’s earlier criticism of the pitch conditions during the series.
Brook’s Blitzkrieg: A Captain’s Knock Coming into the crease with England reasonably placed but needing momentum, Harry Brook turned the game on its head. He reached his century in just 57 balls, marking the seventh-fastest ODI hundred for England. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting and innovation, featuring 11 boundaries and a staggering 9 sixes.
Brook’s strike rate of 206.06 reflected his intent from the very first ball. He was particularly severe on the Sri Lankan spinners, using his feet to disrupt their lengths and employing the reverse sweep to great effect against Jeffrey Vandersay and Wanindu Hasaranga. One of the highlights of his innings was a lofted drive over sweeper cover for six that left spectators and commentators in awe. As the innings neared its end, Brook went “berserk,” taking 22 runs off the 49th over to propel England well past the 350-run mark.
Joe Root: The Anchor and the Architect While Brook provided the fireworks, Joe Root provided the foundation. The veteran batter scored a sublime 111 not out off 108 balls, anchoring the innings with his trademark calm and precision. This was Root’s 20th ODI century and his third against Sri Lanka in the format, further cementing his legacy as one of England’s greatest limited-overs batters.
Root arrived at the crease early after the dismissal of Ben Duckett and steadied the ship. He rotated the strike effortlessly, hitting 9 fours and just one six, allowing the aggressive batters around him to play their natural game. His ability to manipulate the field and find gaps ensured that the scoreboard kept ticking even during the quieter middle overs. Root’s composure was the perfect foil to Brook’s aggression, and his celebration—a warm hug for his Yorkshire teammate and captain—highlighted the synergy between the two.
The Record-Breaking Partnership The defining feature of the innings was the unbeaten 191-run partnership between Brook and Root for the fourth wicket. The duo came together after the dismissal of Jacob Bethell and systematically dismantled the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Their stand completely demoralized the opposition, with Sri Lanka’s bowlers running out of ideas against the onslaught. While Root accumulated runs with classical shots, Brook took the aerial route, creating a nightmare scenario for the fielding captain Charith Asalanka.
Crucial Contributions from the Top Order Before the Brook-Root show, young all-rounder Jacob Bethell played a vital hand. Promoting the aggressive intent of the side, Bethell scored a fluent 65 off 72 balls, helping to rebuild the innings alongside Root after England lost two early wickets. England had surprised many by opening with leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, a tactical gamble that yielded 24 runs off 37 balls before he was dismissed by Hasaranga. Ben Duckett fell cheaply for 7, but the middle-order resilience ensured those early jitters did not turn into a collapse.
Harry Brook Blasts 136 to Dominate Sri Lanka
Conclusion Harry Brook’s 136* will go down as one of the finest ODI innings by an England captain in Asia. By opting to bat first in a high-pressure decider and posting 357/3, England effectively batted Sri Lanka out of the game by the halfway mark. The contrast between Brook’s modern power game and Root’s classical accumulation showcased the depth and versatility of this England batting lineup. As the teams headed into the break, the momentum was firmly with the visitors, leaving Sri Lanka with a mountain to climb to save the series.
Harry Brook Blasts 136 to Dominate Sri Lanka
