Harry Brook criticises pitch conditions in ODI victory over Sri Lanka
England skipper Harry Brook delivered a withering verdict on the playing surface at the R Premadasa Stadium following his side’s second ODI triumph against Sri Lanka in Colombo, reports BritPanorama.
The 26-year-old did not hold back during the post-match presentation, labelling the pitch as the poorest he has encountered in his career. “The pitch is probably the worst pitch I’ve ever played on,” Brook stated.
He outlined the challenges faced by the batters, who had to adjust quickly, concentrating on rotating the strike rather than playing freely. “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,” he added.
England secured a five-wicket victory, successfully reaching their target of 220 at the Colombo venue, with Joe Root’s 75 proving decisive. The match saw England bowl 40.3 overs of spin, establishing a new record for the most spin overs bowled by the team in a one-day international, surpassing their previous record of 36 overs against Pakistan in 1985.
The surface provided greater assistance to spinners than in the opening match, with turn increasing by 15 percent from 3.15 degrees to 3.62 degrees. England deployed six spinners during the contest, a first in the format for the tourists.
Root, acknowledging the challenging nature of the wicket, declared, “It was a very difficult surface,” and described it as “not a good wicket for ODI cricket if I’m being brutally honest.” Brook praised Root for his composed innings, which proved crucial for England’s successful chase. “He is an awesome player and his ability to get off strike and put the bad ball away when they slightly miss is awesome,” Brook remarked.
Brook also commended his bowling attack for their performance on the demanding surface, marking England’s first win in 12 one-day internationals. He described his bowlers’ efforts as exceptional, adding, “The bowlers did an amazing job.” Despite the difficult conditions, the England captain expressed satisfaction at claiming victory away from home on such an unforgiving pitch. “It’s nice to get a win away from home on a tough surface – we are happy to get the victory,” he concluded.
This latest win not only highlights England’s resilience but also serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes face in adapting to varying playing conditions, a testament to their skill and determination on the international stage.
