Harry Brook Achieves Historic ODI Double Century Against Sri Lanka
Harry Brook's Remarkable Milestone
In a stunning display of batting, England's white-ball captain Harry Brook made history by scoring a double century in an ODI match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Brook's impressive innings of 202 runs off just 116 balls included 21 fours and 10 sixes, making him the first English player to achieve this feat in ODIs. He also broke the record for the fastest double century in ODIs, reaching the milestone in only 114 balls, surpassing Indian cricketer Shubman Gill.
With this achievement, Brook joins the ranks of West Indies great Chris Gayle, who is known for his triple century in Tests, an ODI double ton, and multiple T20I centuries. Gayle's notable records include two Test triple tons, with his highest score being 333 against Sri Lanka in 2010 and 317 against South Africa in 2005. Brook, who scored a triple century against Pakistan in October 2024, now shares this elite status with Gayle.
Brook's Impressive Statistics
Throughout his ODI career, Brook has played 46 matches, accumulating 1,737 runs at an average of 41.35, which includes four centuries and eight fifties. He has also crossed the 7,000-run mark in international cricket, with a total of 7,049 runs in 158 matches at an average of 44.89 and a strike rate exceeding 103. His record features 16 centuries and 36 fifties, with a personal best of 317.
Brook has shown exceptional performance in Pakistan, scoring 1,333 runs in 18 matches at an impressive average of 74.05, including five centuries. In the current year alone, he has amassed 567 runs in 11 ODIs, averaging 56.70 with a strike rate of 126.56, contributing two centuries and two fifties. He leads the international run-scoring charts this year with a total of 1,815 runs in 37 ODIs.
Match Overview and Joe Root's Achievement
In the match against Sri Lanka, England batted first, establishing a solid opening partnership of 74 runs between Tom Banton, who scored 50 off 51 balls, and Ben Duckett, who added 29 runs. Following their dismissals, England faced a brief setback at 85/2. However, Brook and Joe Root, who scored 69 runs off 66 balls, formed a formidable partnership of 159 runs.
Joe Root also made history by becoming the first English player to reach 8,000 ODI runs, now totaling 8,005 runs in 197 matches at an average of 50.66, with 20 centuries and 49 fifties. England concluded their innings at 429/4, bolstered by a late surge from Will Jacks, who scored an unbeaten 66 runs off 30 balls. Dunith Wellalage was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 2 wickets for 56 runs.