Skip to content
Back to the daily read

Daily Read: Cricket

England rout Sri Lanka with Brook and Buttler fireworks

England dominated Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Southampton, with Harry Brook scoring 114 not out off 49 balls and Jos Buttler adding 80 off 49. The pair produced a 233‑run partnership in 103 balls, pushing England to 254 for four. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 135 in 19 overs, losing by 119 runs and extending their losing streak to 13 consecutive defeats in the format. Kevin Pietersen, England’s new white‑ball mentor, watched the innings from the dugout while Ben Stokes praised Brook’s innings as a sign that he may surpass Pietersen. The win marks England’s 21st victory from their last 24 T20Is and keeps the series alive with a game to spare in Cardiff. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled, with Sonny Baker taking his first white‑ball wicket and Kamil Mishara dismissed for 10. England’s bowlers, led by Baker and Adil Rashid, restricted the Sri Lankan attack to 3‑12 and 1‑31 respectively. The match sets the tone for the remaining fixtures, with England aiming to close out the series in Cardiff.

· Sky Sports

The essential points

  1. 01Harry Brook scores 114* off 49 balls, the fastest T20I century in England's history.
  2. 02England posts 254 for 4, the highest score in the series opener against Sri Lanka.
  3. 03Sri Lanka collapsed to 135 all out in 19 overs, losing by 119 runs.
  4. 04Ben Stokes lauds Brook’s innings as evidence he may surpass former mentor Kevin Pietersen.
The full brief

England dominated Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Southampton, with Harry Brook scoring 114 not out off 49 balls and Jos Buttler adding 80 off 49. The pair produced a 233‑run partnership in 103 balls, pushing England to 254 for four. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 135 in 19 overs, losing by 119 runs and extending their losing streak to 13 consecutive defeats in the format.

Kevin Pietersen, England’s new white‑ball mentor, watched the innings from the dugout while Ben Stokes praised Brook’s innings as a sign that he may surpass Pietersen. The win marks England’s 21st victory from their last 24 T20Is and keeps the series alive with a game to spare in Cardiff. Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled, with Sonny Baker taking his first white‑ball wicket and Kamil Mishara dismissed for 10.

England’s bowlers, led by Baker and Adil Rashid, restricted the Sri Lankan attack to 3‑12 and 1‑31 respectively. The match sets the tone for the remaining fixtures, with England aiming to close out the series in Cardiff.