Harry Brook's record double century sets Sri Lanka a 430-run target
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
England captain Harry Brook, who struck a double century off 114 balls in today's (22nd) one-day international against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, became the owner of the fastest double century in the history of ODI cricket. On the back of Brook's explosive batting, England piled up 429 for 4, which is also the highest total ever recorded by an opposition side against Sri Lanka in a one-day international.
Brook's innings of 200 off 114 balls included 21 fours and 10 sixes, and in the face of his aggressive hitting the Sri Lankan bowlers were unable to maintain any real control. In addition, England's 429 went into the books as the highest team total recorded in a one-day international in Pakistan.
Brook was somewhat slow at the start, gathering only 13 runs from his first 24 balls. However, after striking two sixes in succession off the left-arm spin of Kamindu Mendis, he moved into his familiar attacking rhythm. From there Brook accelerated, using a wide range of strokes against the Sri Lankan bowlers, and completed his century off 75 balls.
Brook received fine support from Joe Root and Will Jacks in building the innings. He put on a 159-run stand with Root for the third wicket and then added a further 185 runs alongside Jacks. Even after Root was dismissed for 69, Brook did not ease up on his assault, while Jacks recorded a half-century off 25 balls to push the England scoreboard along.
The Sri Lankan bowling unit came under severe pressure against the England batters, and having to turn to additional bowlers in the middle overs also worked in England's favour. England gathered 123 runs in those overs.
When Brook moved past 182, he also rewrote the record for the highest individual score by a batter for England in a one-day international. The previous holder of that record was Ben Stokes with 182. Brook completed his double century with a four off a paddle sweep against Janith Liyanage in the final over of the innings, and was dismissed off the last ball when he offered a catch.
With this double century, Brook also joined the group of players who have recorded a triple century in a Test match, a double century in a one-day international and a century in a Twenty20 international. Becoming only the second player after Chris Gayle to complete that feat added further significance to this innings.
England's openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett took the team to 54 without loss at the end of the first 10 overs. Banton, passing the 50-run mark for the fourth innings in a row, led the way in the scoring. However, he fell when he offered a catch to the fielder in the cow corner region off a delivery from Dunith Wellalage.
Duckett also enjoyed some luck early on, but in the end he was dismissed for 29, trapped lbw as he attempted a sweep against Wellalage's left-arm spin. Even so, after those two early dismissals, the assault launched by Brook and his colleagues carried England to a mammoth total.
England – 429 for 4 – Harry Brook 200, Joe Root 69, Will Jacks 66, Tom Banton 50, Ben Duckett 29, Dunith Wellalage 56/2, Asitha Fernando 68/1, Janith Liyanage 32/1
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting