Harry Brook’s stunning 114 scored England’s 119-run win over Sri Lanka

Harry Brook produced a stunning captaincy innings as England opened their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a commanding 119-run win in Southampton on Tuesday. The England captain smashed an unbeaten 114 off 49 balls to power his side to 254/4 before the bowlers finished the job.

Brook came on after debutant Aneurin Donald and Jos Buttler gave England a flying start, but it was the captain who turned the contest into a one-sided affair. His most devastating moment came in the fifth over when he dismantled Dunith Wellalage for 30 runs, clearing the ropes thrice and finding the boundary thrice.

ENG vs SL, 1st T20I: MAIN

England reached 90/1 in the Powerplay with Donald making an immediate impact before Buttler continued the attack. Buttler made 80 off 44 deliveries and added 128 runs from just 60 balls with Brook as Sri Lanka struggled to find an answer to England’s relentless batting.

Brook had already reached his half-century from just 20 balls and continued to attack with remarkable consistency. He brought up his second T20I century from 42 deliveries to finish unbeaten on 114 as England narrowly missed out on the 257 they had posted against India at the same venue in the previous T20I.

Sri Lanka’s chase never threatened to match England’s score. 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 BUILDING MIDDLE LEVER

England’s batting attack was ready in the opening six overs. Donald struck 12 off five balls on debut before Buttler unleashed four boundaries in an over from Dushmantha Chameera.

Brook then took center stage against Wellalage, turning the fifth over into a 30-run spectacle. After this attack, he attacked Dasun Shanaka and got his century in just 42 balls.

Buttler’s 80 was equally important in building the platform as his 128-run partnership with Brooke put England firmly out of Sri Lanka’s reach. Will Jacks added a late 21 as England finished on 254/4.

BAKER LEADS ENGLAND BOWLING

Sri Lanka’s reply quickly unraveled as Baker made excellent use of his pace. After the visitors managed just six runs from the opening two overs, Hampshire struck quickly 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 effect his return. Dasun Shanaka hit back-to-back sixes against Adil Rashid but was dismissed in the very next delivery.

Dunith Wellalage offered some resistance with 33 off 21 balls, but Jamie Overton claimed two wickets and Baker came back to remove Maheesh Theekshana with a fiery 148km/h. Liam Dawson then bowled Dushmantha Chameera to end the innings in the 19th over.

England now lead the series 1-0 and will be looking to carry the momentum into the second T20I.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

16 Sep 2026 07:46 IST