Harry Brook revealed his ‘pride’ at steering England to the world number one spot in the T20 rankings after they mauled Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Saturday to secure a 3-0 series win.
Brook has been brilliant at the helm of the white-ball team since being appointed by coach Brendon McCullum, and was also named player of the series after finding red-hot form with the bat and taking some fantastic catches in the field.
The England skipper smashed 33 runs off 21 balls on Saturday, but played second fiddle to opener Jos Buttler, who clubbed a brutal 62 not out off 32 balls, with his fellow opener Aneurin Donald scoring just 13 off five balls.
Sri Lanka went into Saturday’s game knowing they had already lost the series at 2-0 down – and only managed to post a score of 124 all out in 18.5 overs.
Brook bristling with pride
Sonny Baker (2-17), Jofra Archer (2-23) and Will Jacks (2-31) all chipped in with two wickets, while Brook’s men were sharp in the field and executed two run outs.
Pathum Nissanka (36 off 24 balls) and Kamindu Mendis (35 off 28) were the only batters to provide any resistance for the tourists.
But England sauntered to their 125-run victory target in 9.4 overs to leave Brook bristling with pride at another all-round performance of the highest order.
Buttler sealed the win in style with a one-handed six to make it 15 wins in a row for England against Sri Lanka in T20 internationals.
Amazing achievement
And skipper Brook told Sky Sports: “Being back at world No 1 in T20s is an amazing achievement and one everyone should be really proud of.
“Everyone stepped up, especially lads who haven’t played as much.
“For Sonny Baker to bowl three overs in the powerplay in two games is an amazing achievement, not going for many runs and taking wickets.
“We want to be a side when the conditions aren’t in our favour where we are still able to manufacture a win.
“That might not be the prettiest but we are doing it extremely well and are trending in the right direction.”
Broad hails ‘superb’ England
Pundit Stuart Broad was impressed with an England team missing star names such as Phil Salt, Sam Curran and Jacob Bethell.
Broad told Sky Sports: “England have been superb. They look a much better team than Sri Lanka but look well-oiled and seem to know what they are doing.
“Even players you might not feel are in the best 11 – remember, England are missing Phil Salt, Sam Curran and Jacob Bethell through injury – appear like they know what they are doing.
“With clear roles and responsibility, you get good performances and that’s what nearly every player has produced in this series.”
A three-match one-day international series gets under way in Durham on Tuesday.
ODI fixtures and start times
First ODI (Tuesday September 22) – Durham (12.30pm)
Second ODI (Thursday September 24) – Headingley (12.30pm)
Third ODI (Sunday September 27) – The Kia Oval (10.30am)
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