Joe Root and Harry Brook Smash Stunning Centuries as England Clinch ODI Series Victory Over Sri Lanka

England produced a stunning batting display at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with Joe Root and Harry Brook hitting unbeaten centuries to power the tourists to a commanding 53-run victory over Sri Lanka, clinching the three-match ODI series 2-1.

The victory marks England's first ODI series win overseas since March 2023 in Bangladesh and ends Sri Lanka's remarkable 12-series unbeaten run on home soil in the 50-over format.

Record-Breaking Batting Performance

England posted 357-3 from their 50 overs – comfortably their highest ODI total ever recorded in Sri Lanka. The platform was laid by the elegant Root, who compiled his 20th ODI century with a flawless display of batting craft on a low, slow turning pitch.

Root shared a crucial 126-run partnership with Jacob Bethell, who contributed a valuable 65 from 72 balls, before captain Brook joined the fray in the 32nd over.

Joe Root's Patient Masterclass

Root's innings was a testament to patience and precision. The Yorkshire stalwart accumulated 111 not out from 108 balls, finding gaps at will and rotating the strike with consummate ease. His knock featured 58 singles, nine boundaries, and a six – a masterclass in building an innings on a challenging surface.

There was never any sense of panic in Root's approach as he scored freely off both front foot and back, manipulating the field and keeping Sri Lanka's bowlers under constant pressure.

Harry Brook's Explosive Assault

If Root provided the foundation, Brook supplied the fireworks. The England captain took his time initially to adapt to conditions before rapidly moving through the gears in spectacular fashion.

Brook reached his half-century from just 40 balls with an audacious inside-out six over extra cover. Remarkably, just 17 deliveries later, he was celebrating his century – reached from only 57 balls.

The 25-year-old finished on an ODI career-best 136 not out, striking 11 fours and nine sixes in a breathtaking display of power hitting. Upon reaching three figures, Brook celebrated in the style of WWE legend Steve 'Stone Cold' Austin, mimicking the wrestler's famous beer-smashing celebration.

The unbroken 191-run partnership between Root and Brook left Sri Lanka facing an almost impossible target.

Sri Lanka's Valiant Chase Falls Short

Explosive Start Fizzles Out

Sri Lanka knew they needed something extraordinary to chase down 358 – it would have been not only a record chase at the R Premadasa Stadium but their highest successful chase in ODI history.

The hosts exploded out of the blocks, hammering 104 runs in the powerplay. Opener Pathum Nissanka was the chief aggressor, racing to 50 from just 24 balls in a stunning display of intent. However, he picked out the fielder in the deep from his 25th delivery, and despite the rapid start, Sri Lanka had already lost three wickets.

Rathnayake's Maiden Hundred Not Enough

Pavan Rathnayake emerged as Sri Lanka's lone resistance, crafting a fine maiden international century. Batting with composure reminiscent of Root's earlier effort, Rathnayake reached three figures from 104 balls and went on to score 121 before being bowled by Sam Curran in the 47th over as the last man out.

However, unlike England, Sri Lanka could not find a Brook equivalent to accelerate the chase. As wickets tumbled around him, Rathnayake was left with too much to do.

England's Bowling Unit Holds Firm

The tourists' bowlers deserve significant credit for managing the pressure of Sri Lanka's explosive start. The pitch began to slow and take more spin as the innings progressed, with England's spinners extracting 3.7 degrees of turn – more than 40% more than Sri Lanka's bowlers managed in the first innings.

Adil Rashid was the standout performer across the series, taking seven wickets at an average of 19.85. His dismissal of captain Charith Asalanka in the 15th over proved pivotal in shifting momentum England's way.

Spinners Rashid, Liam Dawson, and Will Jacks took two wickets each as England's bowling unit gradually clawed the hosts back and put pressure on the Sri Lankan batters.

Series Summary and Significance

The 2-1 series victory carries significant weight for England's cricketing future. Beyond ending Sri Lanka's impressive home record, the win eases any lingering concerns about England potentially having to go through qualifying to reach the 2027 World Cup.

For a team that has struggled in the ODI format in recent times, this was something approaching a perfectly constructed 50-over innings, with the two Yorkshiremen leading the way in textbook fashion.

Looking Ahead: T20 Series Begins Friday

England will look to carry this momentum into the T20 series, which begins on Friday, 30 January. With Root and Brook in sublime form, and the bowling unit showing excellent discipline under pressure, the tourists will fancy their chances of completing a memorable tour of Sri Lanka.

The partnership between Root's classical approach and Brook's explosive power provides England with a formidable batting template for white-ball cricket moving forward. If they can replicate this combination consistently, England's prospects in both formats look increasingly bright.