Captain Harry Brook smashed a sensational 42-ball century as England launched their Vitality T20 sequence in opposition to Sri Lanka with a dominant 119-run win in Southampton.
Brook completed unbeaten on 114 from 49 deliveries in a complete of 254 for 4 after sharing a 128-run second-wicket partnership with Jos Buttler and tormenting the vacationers’ bowlers with 10 fours and 6 sixes.
The 27-year-old’s century was his first in 18 worldwide innings in all codecs – because the World Cup win in opposition to Pakistan in February – and England’s joint second-fastest in T20.
Opener Buttler crunched 80 off 44 balls earlier than Hampshire bowler Sonny Baker took three wickets for 12 runs on his residence floor as Sri Lanka have been restricted to 135 all out on the Utilita Bowl.
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PICTURE: John Walton/PA
Emphatic victory
Tuesday night’s emphatic victory gave Kevin Pietersen a successful begin to his return to the England setup in a mentoring function with the white-ball aspect.
Brendon McCullum’s aspect have been again in T20 motion following a formidable 4-0 sequence win over world champions India in July.
The hosts have been put into bat on an excellent night in Hampshire, with debutant Aneurin Donald partnering Buttler on the high of the order.
Donald hit a six and a 4 from his third and fourth balls in worldwide cricket earlier than Buttler smashed 4 consecutive fours off Dushmantha Chameera to depart England 31 with out loss after simply two overs.
Brilliance
Donald’s aggressive cameo ended on 12 initially of the third over when he toe-ended the left-arm spin of Dunith Wellalage down the bottom and was caught by Dasun Shanaka.
England’s momentum briefly stalled however they reached 90 for one by the tip of the powerplay, thanks largely to the brilliance of Brook.
The skipper made 30 within the fifth over alone, clubbing three sixes and three fours off Wellalage.
With former captain Pietersen and head coach McCullum sitting aspect by aspect on the balcony, the hosts have been flying.
Buttler hit an infinite six and, after being dropped by Eshan Malinga subsequent ball, introduced up his 50 off 29 balls initially of the ninth over.
Breakthrough
England reached 134 for one on the midway stage of the innings.
Brook then moved on to 50 from 20 balls from the penultimate supply of the subsequent over earlier than Buttler slogged one other six to push the entire previous 150.
Sri Lanka’s final T20 win over their opponents was greater than 12 years in the past.
On a drained pitch, the Lions lastly made an extra breakthrough initially of the twelfth over when Wellalage took a easy catch at deep cowl after the spectacular Buttler hoicked a supply from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Tough night
Tom Banton was then caught simply in entrance of the rope by Shanaka off Chameera to fall for 10.
Brook wanted a six to equal Phil Salt’s 39-ball century in opposition to South Africa final 12 months.
As an alternative, he needed to accept emulating Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball hundred in opposition to Pakistan in 2021 as he soaked within the applause from the group of 11,317 within the 18th over.
Sri Lanka’s troublesome night within the area was accomplished when Will Jacks’ 21-run cameo ended with him being caught by Malinga off Hasaranga from the ultimate ball.
The away aspect wanted to drag off the second-highest chase in T20 worldwide historical past to keep away from defeat, and their response started slowly.
Breezed to victory
Jacks had Pathum Nissanka caught for 12 by Jamie Overton earlier than Baker – enjoying solely his second T20 worldwide – clear bowled Kamil Mishara and likewise eliminated Lahiru Udara in a productive sixth over.
Sri Lanka have been diminished to 52 for 4 when captain Charith Asalanka was caught by Banton off Liam Dawson.
Adil Rashid and Josh Tongue received in on the act earlier than Baker pinged Maheesh Theekshana’s off stump, in between Overton eradicating Hasaranga and claiming his second wicket because of Jordan Cox’s very good catch to halt Wellalage on 33.
Dawson wrapped up proceedings with six balls to spare, eradicating Chameera as England breezed to victory forward of continuous the three-match sequence in Cardiff on Thursday.
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