England vs Sri Lanka: Harry Brook hits 42-ball hundred and Jos Buttler slams 80 as hosts win first T20 by 119 runs in Southampton | Cricket Information

​​Harry Brook and Jos Buttler went berserk in a T20 at Southampton for the second time this summer season as England smoked 254-4 towards Sri Lanka throughout a 119-run win within the collection opener – their first sport since Kevin Pietersen’s appointment as white-ball mentor.

White-ball captain Brook (114no off 49 balls) – who nailed six boundaries in a single over – and predecessor in that function Buttler (80 off 44) plundered 128 from simply 60 balls in partnership for England’s second wicket as soon as debutant Aneurin Donald (12 off 5) fell after slamming a six and a 4 amid a vivid however fleeting cameo.

Brook and Buttler had mixed for a riotous stand of 233 from 103 balls on the similar venue in July as England romped to a complete of 257-3 towards India that secured a 4-0 collection sweep, with Buttler tonking a century on that event and Brook an unbeaten 95.

This time across the roles have been reversed with Buttler – taking part in his first innings because the Hundred ultimate at Lord’s on August 16 – lacking out on a ton however Brook reaching three figures for the second time in T20 internationals, doing so from simply 42 deliveries as he blended huge hits with slick, intense working.

No surprise England legend Pietersen, who scored virtually 14,000 runs in all worldwide cricket between 2004 and 2014, was smiling all through.

That expression continued as Sri Lanka subsided to 135 all out in 19 overs in reply, to endure a thirteenth successive defeat to their opponents on this format, stretching again to 2014, and England made it 21 wins from their final 24 T20Is.

The pacey, correct and economical Sonny Baker bagged 3-12 from 4 overs, together with bowling Kamil Mishara (10) to say his first white-ball wicket for England, whereas leg-spin maestro Adil Rashid (1-31) nicked off Dasun Shanaka (24 off 14) with a peach of a supply having simply been belted for back-to-back sixes.

KP watches on as Brook dazzles at Utilita Bowl

Brook’s innings was a pleasure to look at, along with his professional capability to choose up size on full show within the 30-run fifth over of the sport when he struck Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage for six boundaries in as many deliveries (three sixes, three fours).

Brook’s first boundary in that set, a six onto the cushion at long-on, was slightly edgy however his subsequent 5 have been chic – fours over the bowler’s head and all the way down to long-on, a scooped six over wonderful leg, a most over long-off and, lastly, a 4 behind level.

Solely Phil Salt – lacking this collection as a consequence of a quad damage, therefore why Derbyshire batter Donald has been handed an opportunity – has hit a sooner T20I hundred for England than Brook, taking 39 balls towards South Africa in 2025 when the crew amassed 304-2 in Manchester.

Former England Take a look at captain Ben Stokes took to social media to say: “I do not even suppose the genius of KP may come near what Brook has talent-wise. You might be an absolute freak, Harry. You are mint to look at.”

Stokes would later add: “Bit harsh on KP really. Each are freak abilities however Brook is healthier in my view.”

Baker baggage first white-ball wickets as Sri Lanka subside

Brook then rotated his bowlers well within the second half of the sport as Sri Lanka’s monumental process was made virtually unattainable once they began slowly after which tumbled to 69-5 inside the primary 10 overs of a sorry chase, one through which Wellalage (33 off 21) top-scored, crunching 4 fours and two sixes.

Brook’s boys – for whom seamer Jamie Overton (2-20) and spinner Liam Dawson (2-23) shared 4 wickets – will now hope to wrap up a collection win with a sport to spare in Cardiff on Thursday (6.30pm begin), forward of the ultimate match at Emirates Previous Trafford on Saturday (2.30pm begin). Each fixtures are reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket.

Welshman Donald will likely be seeking to make a extra sustained impression within the nation of his start within the second T20 – the 29-year-old got here by the Glamorgan academy and is the Cardiff county’s first homegrown worldwide since 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones.

After Donald heaved a most leg-side and drilled 4 by extra-cover subsequent ball, he spooned Wellalage down the bottom, earlier than watching on as Brook and Buttler made mincemeat of the vacationers’ bowling assault – the duo spanking 28 boundaries between them.

Brook hoping to be taught from ‘hero’ Pietersen

England captain and participant of the match Harry Brook on Kevin Pietersen:

“[Pietersen] checked out batting barely in another way, in an identical method to me as nicely. He at all times needs to place the bowlers underneath stress.

“He was an outstanding participant. The best way he accessed totally different areas of the bottom made it actually tough to captain and bowl to, and I am wanting ahead to conversations about that.

“I discussed to him earlier about attempting to assist me learn surfaces and utilizing my abilities to carry out on that pitch as nicely, not only for white-ball cricket, Take a look at cricket as nicely.

“Hopefully he can have a huge impact on my profession. He is a hero to lots of gamers. We grew up watching him and it is simply superior to have a person of his calibre within the altering room.”

Watch England’s second T20 vs Sri Lanka reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion from 6pm on Thursday (6.30pm first ball). Newest Sky Sports activities offers or stream no contract with NOW.

England vs Sri Lanka outcomes and fixtures

All occasions UK and Eire; all video games reside on Sky Sports activities

• First T20 (Utilita Bowl) – England win by 119 runs
• Second T20 (Thursday September 17) – Cardiff (6.30pm)
• Third T20 (Saturday September 19) – Previous Trafford (2.30pm)
• First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12.30pm)
• Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12.30pm)
• Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10.30am)