England's white-ball captain Harry Brook and veteran batsman Joe Root have launched scathing criticism against the Colombo pitch used for the second One Day International against Sri Lanka, with Brook describing it as "the worst pitch I've ever played on" following England's hard-fought five-wicket victory.
England's Spin-Heavy Strategy Secures Series-Leveling Win
In a remarkable display of tactical adaptation, England fielded six spinners and bowled a record 40.3 overs of spin - the most by England in any ODI match - to bundle out Sri Lanka for a modest 219 runs at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. This strategic masterstroke allowed England to level the three-match ODI series one-all after two games, setting up a thrilling decider scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.
Root's Match-Winning Knock on Difficult Surface
Chasing a target of 220 on what players described as a slow, low surface, England's batsmen had to significantly adjust their natural attacking instincts. While Ben Duckett and Harry Brook played restrained innings, it was Joe Root's composed 75 runs off 90 deliveries that proved decisive in guiding England to victory. Root's performance earned him the Player of the Match award despite his reservations about the playing conditions.
Brook's Blunt Assessment of Colombo Pitch
Harry Brook was particularly harsh in his post-match evaluation, stating: "The pitch is probably the worst pitch I've ever played on. You had to go out there and adapt as quickly as possible and try to get off strike and get the other batter on strike." The England captain, known for his aggressive batting style, managed just 42 runs off 75 deliveries with a strike rate of 56.00 - a significant departure from his usual approach.
Brook added: "It's nice to get a win away from home on a tough surface, we are happy to get the victory." This sentiment was echoed by his teammates who acknowledged the challenging conditions while celebrating the important series-leveling win.
Root's Diplomatic Yet Critical Remarks
Joe Root, while expressing his affection for Sri Lanka as a cricket destination, didn't mince words about the pitch quality. The veteran batsman said: "Always love coming to Sri Lanka, it's a great country. Always feel extremely welcomed by everyone. Enjoy playing here." However, he quickly turned critical, adding: "Nice to get the win on a very difficult surface. Just try to take the ball as late as possible. I don't think that's a great wicket for ODI cricket if I'm being brutally honest."
Root emphasized England's adaptability, noting: "We found a way today and we adapted and learned from the mistakes we made in the first game with both bat and ball and got across the line." His comments highlight how England modified their approach to succeed on a surface that challenged conventional ODI batting strategies.
Statistical Highlights and Series Implications
The match statistics reveal the extraordinary nature of England's approach:
- England bowled 40.3 overs of spin - their highest ever in an ODI match
- Six spinners were deployed in the bowling attack
- Ben Duckett scored at a strike rate of 75.00, well below his usual tempo
- Harry Brook's strike rate of 56.00 represented a significant slowdown
- Sri Lanka were restricted to just 219 runs on their home ground
The pitch controversy adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming series decider, scheduled for Tuesday at the same Colombo venue. Both teams will need to demonstrate exceptional adaptability as they compete for the ODI series victory under what players have described as challenging pitch conditions.
