Harry Brook produced his defining performance of the winter in England’s final one day international, scoring an unbeaten 136 from 66 balls to secure a series victory in Sri Lanka. England won the decider by 53 runs, claiming their first ODI series success away from home in three years.
Brook’s innings followed an earlier century against New Zealand in October, made in defeat, when his 135 from 101 balls stood out amid nine single figure scores from team mates.
This time, the outcome matched the scale of the contribution. Brook struck nine sixes and 11 fours, overshadowing Joe Root’s 20th ODI century and reducing Jacob Bethell’s 65 to a supporting role. England set a target of 358, and Sri Lanka responded aggressively, reaching 100 inside the first ten overs.
Pathum Nissanka hit a half century from 24 balls and Kusal Mendis made 20 from his first eight deliveries, targeting Jamie Overton in the powerplay. Both fell attempting further attacking shots, Nissanka pulling to the deep and Mendis finding Brook at mid off. Wickets continued to fall even as boundaries were struck, allowing England to regain control.
Pavan Rathnayake, playing his seventh international match at the age of 23, offered resistance with Sri Lanka’s first ODI century. He reached the landmark with a single through extra cover off Liam Dawson in the 43rd over and remained defiant until becoming the final wicket to fall.
Brook won the toss after losing it in England’s previous six ODIs and chose to bat. After criticising the surface earlier in the series, he repeated his concerns before the match.
“We’d like a nice pitch, but I don’t think it’s going to be a nice pitch.”
Asked what he meant by a nice pitch, Brook replied: “High-scoring, boundaries everywhere.”
England’s innings began shakily. They were 40 for two inside 11 overs, with Ben Duckett dismissed attempting a reverse sweep and Rehan Ahmed pulling Wanindu Hasaranga to midwicket for 24. Hasaranga, restored after missing the previous two matches, struck with his third delivery but took no further wickets.
Root and Bethell then added 126 runs. Root continued his strong record in Sri Lanka, where he now averages 76 in ODIs, using reverse sweeps and rapid footwork to counter spin. Bethell attacked the pace of Asitha Fernando in the 30th over, striking four boundaries to different parts of the ground and bringing up his half century.
Bethell was dismissed attempting to accelerate further, picking out deep midwicket off Jeffrey Vandersay. Brook arrived with fewer than 19 overs remaining. Root reached his century, celebrated with his familiar shrug, before Brook took control of the innings.
Brook reached his half century from 40 balls and needed only 17 more deliveries to reach his third ODI hundred. England closed their innings with Brook hitting another six over cover, finishing with their highest away total since the 2023 World Cup.
Sri Lanka again began positively in reply before losing wickets at regular intervals. A fifth wicket partnership between Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage offered hope, but a mix up led to Liyanage being run out. Dunith Wellalage added 22 before Rathnayake reached his century.
The chase ended when Sam Curran dismissed Rathnayake, confirming a result that ended Sri Lanka’s five year unbeaten run in ODI series at home.