England thumped Sri Lanka by 119 runs in Southampton, with Harry Brook blistering 114* off 49 balls.
Brook’s second T20I century of 2026 came in just 42 balls, leaving him atop the list for most centuries as a captain in a calendar year across all formats for Full Member teams. He joins the elite ranks of Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam, but is the only captain to hit two T20I centuries in a single year.
The turning point arrived when Brook and former skipper Jos Buttler smashed a 128‑run partnership for England’s 254‑run total. Buttler’s 80 off 44 was a fireworks display, while Brook’s 114* was the centerpiece that set the tone for the chase.
England’s bowlers made it a one‑way match. Sonny Baker’s 3/12 proved too much for the Sri Lankan hitters, while Jamie Overton’s two wickets stifled any hope of a comeback. Even with Dunith Wellalage’s 33‑run blitz, Sri Lanka were all out for 135 after 19 overs.
Brook’s record‑breaking run not only hands England a 1‑0 advantage in the three‑match series but also cements his place among the greats of the T20 format. The team will now look to carry the momentum into the second T20I on Thursday, where the stakes are higher and the pressure mounts.