England captain Harry Brook labeled the pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the second ODI against Sri Lanka as the ‘worst I’ve ever played on’.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for a modest 219 after
England’s spin-heavy attack paid dividends. Brook used six slow bowlers, who sent down a record 40.3 overs as Sri Lanka struggled on a turning surface. Several batters made starts but failed to convert, repeatedly falling while attempting big shots, and no fifties were scored.
In reply, England found the pitch far from easy, with the ball keeping low and gripping. Early wickets meant the chase never felt comfortable, but Joe Root anchored the innings with trademark control. Using the sweep and reverse sweep to negate the spinners, Root rotated strike smartly and stitched together a crucial 81-run fourth-wicket partnership with Brook, who scored 42 off 71, one of his slowest innings in the format.
Root brought up his half-century off 52 balls and held one end as England wobbled without collapsing. He was eventually trapped lbw by Asitha Fernando, but by then England needed just 42 off 59 balls, easy enough for Jos Buttler to calmly finish the job, securing a five-wicket win and squaring the series 1-1.
“It’s nice to get a win away from home and on a tough surface,” Brook said in the post-match presentation ceremony. “We’re happy to get the victory. The pitch is probably the worst pitch I’ve ever played on. You had to go out there and adapt as quick as possible, and just try to get off strike and get the other batter on strike.”
“The bowlers did an amazing job there,” he said. “Obviously, they (Sri Lanka) are used to these conditions, so to bowl them out was awesome work from them guys.”
England and Sri Lanka will meet for the series decider on January 27 at the same ground.
