Ben Stokes Praises Harry Brook's Exceptional Talent After T20I Century

In a stunning display of talent, Harry Brook scored an explosive 114* off 49 balls in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, prompting Ben Stokes to praise him as an 'absolute freak.' Stokes highlighted Brook's exceptional abilities, comparing him favorably to cricket legend Kevin Pietersen. Brook's performance has solidified his place among elite cricketers, as he becomes the second Englishman to achieve multiple centuries across all formats. The match concluded with England posting a formidable total of 254/4, leading to a decisive victory over Sri Lanka, who were bowled out for just 135 runs.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 16, 2026, 10:21 IST

Stokes Commends Harry Brook's Incredible Performance

Former England cricketer Ben Stokes has expressed admiration for Harry Brook following his outstanding century, stating that not even the brilliance of Kevin Pietersen can match Brook's talent. Brook, who captains the white-ball format, delivered an explosive performance, scoring an impressive 114* off just 49 balls against Sri Lanka during the first T20I at Southampton on Tuesday. His aggressive batting style has drawn comparisons to Pietersen, leaving Stokes in awe and prompting him to share his thoughts on social media.

Stokes Labels Brook as a 'Freak' Talent

In a post on X, Stokes referred to Brook as 'an absolute freak' and someone who is 'mint to watch.' He emphasized the importance of appreciating players like Brook for their unique abilities, regardless of their performance fluctuations. Stokes remarked, 'Is it really that hard to just sit back and admire these players for what they are, on the good days and the bad days?' He concluded his message by reiterating Brook's exceptional talent.

Brook's Remarkable Achievements

Harry Brook has now joined an elite group of cricketers, becoming the second English player after Jos Buttler to score multiple centuries across all international formats. He boasts two T20I centuries, ten Test centuries, and three ODI centuries. Buttler has achieved two centuries in Tests and T20Is, along with eleven in ODIs. Other notable players with multiple centuries across formats include Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul from India, Babar Azam from Pakistan, Chris Gayle from the West Indies, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill from New Zealand, and Quinton de Kock from South Africa.

Brook's Stellar Performance at Number Three

Brook's transition to the number three batting position has proven successful, especially following a challenging T20 World Cup. In his eight innings at this position, he has accumulated 476 runs at an impressive average of 95.20 and a strike rate of 200.84, including two centuries and two fifties. Overall, in 69 T20Is for England, Brook has scored 1,646 runs in 60 innings, averaging 36.57 with a strike rate of 164.10, featuring two centuries and eight fifties.

Match Summary: England vs Sri Lanka

In the match, England batted first, with significant contributions from Brook (114* off 49 balls, including 10 fours and 6 sixes) and Jos Buttler (80 off 44 balls, with 8 fours and 3 sixes), leading the team to a total of 254/4 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka struggled in response, being bowled out for just 135 runs in 19 overs. The standout bowlers for England included Sonny Baker (3/12 in 4 overs), Jamie Overton (2/20), and Liam Dawson (2/23).