By Dwayne Ferreira.
The first T20 between England and Sri Lanka ends in a humiliating 119-run win to England with Harry Brook smashing an unbeaten 114 and Sonny Baker scalping 3/12 in Southampton.
Harry Brook smashed an unbeaten 114 from just 49 balls as England overwhelmed Sri Lanka by 119 runs in the first T20 International at Southampton on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
England piled up a formidable 254 for four from 20 overs before dismissing Sri Lanka for just 135 in 19 overs, completing a one-sided victory at the Utilita Bowl.
Brook produced the defining innings of the night, reaching his century from only 42 deliveries before finishing unbeaten on 114, decorated with 10 fours and six sixes.
Former England captain Jos Buttler provided equally destructive support with 80 from 44 balls as the pair added 128 runs for the second wicket and effectively took the game away from Sri Lanka before the halfway stage of England’s innings.
Brook Tears Into Sri Lanka Attack
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl, but England immediately placed their bowlers under pressure.
Debutant Aneurin Donald offered an early glimpse of England’s attacking intentions, striking 12 from five balls before being dismissed.
His departure brought Brook to the crease, and what followed quickly developed into a punishing exhibition of T20 batting.
England stormed to 90 for one in the powerplay, their second-highest powerplay total in T20 internationals. Buttler reached his half-century from 29 balls, while Brook needed only 20 deliveries to complete his fifty.
One over illustrated Sri Lanka’s problems more than any other.
Brook hammered 30 runs from a Dunith Wellalage over, finding the boundary from every delivery with three sixes and three fours.
The England captain continued to accelerate and reached three figures from just 42 balls, equalling the second-fastest T20 International century by an England batter.
Buttler eventually departed for 80, while Will Jacks contributed a rapid 21 from 12 deliveries as England closed on 254 for four.
Wanindu Hasaranga returned one for 34, but Sri Lanka’s attack was unable to contain England’s sustained aggression.
Sri Lanka Chase Falls Apart Early
Faced with a target of 255, Sri Lanka required an exceptional start.
Instead, their challenge was virtually extinguished during the opening six overs.
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara all departed cheaply as Sri Lanka staggered to 32 for three at the end of the powerplay.
The visitors had slipped to 71 for five after 10 overs, leaving the remaining batters with an almost impossible equation.
Dunith Wellalage provided Sri Lanka’s highest score with 33 from 21 balls, while former captain Dasun Shanaka struck 24 from 14 deliveries.
However, neither could build the substantial innings required to challenge England’s total.
Eshan Malinga added an unbeaten 13 from five balls late in the innings, but Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 135.
England fast bowler Sonny Baker was the standout performer with the ball, taking three wickets for just 12 runs from four overs.
Jamie Overton collected two for 20 and Liam Dawson finished with two for 23 as England maintained pressure throughout the chase.
England Extend Dominant Run Against Sri Lanka
The victory was England’s 13th consecutive T20 International win over Sri Lanka, extending a sequence dating back to 2014.
Brook, unsurprisingly named Player of the Match, described England’s display as close to perfect after combining his century with an emphatic team performance.
For Sri Lanka, however, the scale of the defeat leaves plenty to address before the second match.
The bowling attack struggled to control England during the powerplay and middle overs, while the batting unit lost too many wickets before establishing any momentum in the chase.
Sri Lanka will now have little time to regroup.
The second T20 International will be played in Cardiff on Thursday, September 17, before the three-match series concludes in Manchester on September 19.
Match Summary
England: 254/4 (20 overs)
Harry Brook 114* (49), Jos Buttler 80 (44), Will Jacks 21 (12)
Sri Lanka: 135 all out (19 overs)
Dunith Wellalage 33 (21), Dasun Shanaka 24 (14)
Sonny Baker 3/12, Jamie Overton 2/20, Liam Dawson 2/23
Result: England won by 119 runs
Player of the Match: Harry Brook
Series: England lead 1-0
