Harry Brook and Joe Root batter Sri Lanka in rare, morale-boosting series win
“When Brooky came in,” Root said of his captain. “He went through the gears and showed exactly what he is capable of doing. You saw his full array of shots, his ability and it’s a joy to watch from the other end.” After a difficult recent period for Brook, in which he has spoken about the need to “regain the trust” of his team-mates following his altercation with a nightclub bouncer in Wellington, to score a match-winning century in a series decider is well-timed and fitting for a player of his ability. So too is the series win a feather in the cap for his blossoming captaincy. England had not won an overseas ODI tour since beating Bangladesh in 2023 and across their last 17 ODIs they had won only five. By contrast, Sri Lanka have been close to unbeatable at home in recent years, winning 11 and drawing one of their last 12 series. “I think he’s been excellent in every aspect,” Root said of Brook’s captaincy. “He’s grown throughout the three games and …

