England’s Brook Criticizes ‘Worst’ ODI Pitch After Victory

England’s captain, Harry Brook, expressed his frustration with the pitch conditions following his team’s victory against Sri Lanka in the second one-day international (ODI) held on January 25, 2024, in Colombo. Despite securing a five-wicket win, Brook described the Khettarama surface as possibly the worst he had ever played on. England’s triumph allowed them to level the series after a challenging start.

The match showcased England’s strategic use of spin bowling, with the team employing six spinners who bowled a combined total of 40.3 overs, marking the highest number of overs bowled by spinners in any ODI match for the side. On a slow, turning pitch, Joe Root played a pivotal role, scoring 75 runs and demonstrating remarkable skill against the challenging conditions. His performance was crucial in leading England to their first victory in 12 ODIs away from home.

Brook commented on the difficulties faced, stating, “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.” His own contribution of 42 runs came from 75 balls, resulting in a strike rate of 56, notably lower than his typical rate of 99.83 in ODIs.

In praise of Root, Brook highlighted, “He is an awesome player and his ability to get off strike and put the bad ball away when they slightly miss is awesome. Joe is a phenomenal player to have in our side.” Root’s performance marked his second consecutive fifty in the series, solidifying his importance to the team’s batting order.

Looking ahead, the third and final ODI will take place at the same venue on January 30, 2024, where England aims to secure a series victory against Sri Lanka. The challenges presented by the pitch will likely continue to impact both teams as they prepare for the decisive match.