Brook’s unbeaten 114 and Baker’s bowling lead England to 119-run win

England secured a commanding 119-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Twenty20 International at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Harry Brook scored an unbeaten 114 runs off 49 balls, including 10 fours and six sixes, at a strike rate of 232.65. England posted a total of 254 for 4, bolstered by a 128-run partnership for the second wicket between Brook and Jos Buttler. England reached 90 for 1 in the powerplay, with Buttler scoring 80 runs before being dismissed after a half-century from 29 balls. Will Jacks contributed a rapid 21 runs from 12 balls at the end of the innings.

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Sri Lanka’s reply never gained momentum as they fell to 32 for 3 in the powerplay. Dasun Shanaka scored 24 runs off 14 balls, and Dunith Wellalage top-scored with 33 runs from 21 deliveries. Eshan Malinga’s unbeaten 13 runs from five balls helped reduce the deficit slightly, but Sri Lanka were bowled out for 135 in 19 overs.

Sonny Baker was England’s most effective bowler, taking 3 wickets for 12 runs in four overs. Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson each took two wickets. Baker’s fast and aggressive spell set the tone for the innings in front of his home crowd.

Brook was named Player of the Match for his career-best T20I score.

Kevin Pietersen’s recent appointment as a specialist mentor to England’s white-ball side appears to be having an early impact. Pietersen joined the squad earlier in September and will remain in the role through to the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.