Harry Brook and Jos Buttler once again turned a T20 match at Southampton into a spectacular display of power hitting, guiding England to a commanding 254‑4 in the opening game of the series against Sri Lanka. Their partnership, built on aggressive stroke‑play and relentless running between the wickets, produced a 119‑run margin that marked England's first encounter under the guidance of newly appointed white‑ball mentor Kevin Pietersen.
Brook, who captained the side in the white‑ball format, smashed an unbeaten 114 runs from just 49 deliveries, including a blistering over in which he struck six boundaries. Buttler contributed a swift 80 off 44 balls, and together the pair amassed 128 runs from only 60 balls for the second wicket after the brief cameo of debutant Aneurin Donald, who made 12 from five balls before being dismissed after a six and a four. Their explosive stand of 233 runs off 103 balls echoed a similar performance at the same venue in July, when England posted 257‑3 against India, sealing a 4‑0 series sweep. In that earlier match Buttler recorded a century while Brook finished unbeaten on 95.
England's innings unfolded as follows: Brook 114 (49), Buttler 80 (44), Will Jacks 21 (12) and a cameo from Donald. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 135 in 19 overs, with notable contributions from Dunith Wellelage (33 off 21) and Dasun Shanaka (24 off 14). England’s bowlers, particularly Sonny Baker (3‑12) and Jamie Overton (2‑20), kept the Sri Lankan chase under tight control, while Liam Dawson (2‑23) and Will Jacks (1‑21) added useful figures. The second T20 of the series will be broadcast live from Cardiff on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, kicking off at 6 pm (first ball at 6:30 pm).
This time the roles were reversed: Buttler, playing his first innings since the Hundred final at Lord’s on 16 August, fell short of a century, while Brook reached the three‑figure mark for the second time in his T20I career, doing so in just 42 deliveries by combining brute force with clever placement. England legend Kevin Pietersen, who amassed nearly 14,000 international runs between 2004 and 2014, could not hide his delight as Brook and Buttler dismantled the Sri Lankan attack. Sri Lanka’s total of 135 all out marked their 13th consecutive defeat to England in T20s, a streak that stretches back to 2014, while England improved their recent record to 21 wins in the last 24 matches. Baker’s disciplined spell was a highlight, delivering three wickets for just 12 runs in four overs and claiming his first white‑ball wicket for England by dismissing Kamil Mishara.
Spin maestro Adil Rashid (1‑31) also made an impact, catching Dasun Shanaka off a well‑timed delivery after the batsman had just struck two sixes in succession. Brook’s innings was a masterclass in timing and power. In the fifth over, he punished left‑arm spinner Dunith Wellalage for six consecutive boundaries – three sixes and three fours – showcasing a range of shots that included a daring six to long‑on, a series of lofted fours over the bowler’s head, a scooped six over fine‑leg, a towering six over long‑off and a crisp four behind point.
This on‑fire display underlined his ability to read length and adjust his approach instantly. Only Phil Salt has recorded a faster T20I century for England, achieving the feat in 39 balls against South Africa in 2025.
Brook’s 114, however, will be remembered for its fluidity and the sheer joy it provided to spectators. Former England Test captain Ben Stokes praised Brook on social media, stating, "I don't even think the genius of KP could come close to what Brook has talent‑wise.
You are an absolute freak, Harry. You're mint to watch." He later added, "Both are freak talents but Brook is better in my opinion." After Sri Lanka’s early collapse to 69‑5 inside ten overs, Brook’s strategic bowling changes further crippled the chase. Wellalage, the top‑scorer with 33 off 21, managed four fours and two sixes, but the rest of the batting line‑up could not recover. England’s seamers Jamie Overton (2‑20) and spinner Liam Dawson (2‑23) shared four wickets between them, ensuring the visitors were well out of contention.
Looking ahead, England aim to clinch the series with a match to spare in Cardiff on Thursday, followed by the final showdown at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday. Both fixtures will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket. Aneurin Donald, the 29‑year‑old Welshman who earned his debut due to Phil Salt’s quad injury, will hope to make a more substantial contribution in the next game.
A product of the Glamorgan academy, Donald is the first home‑grown international from Cardiff County since 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones. In his debut, after a maximum leg‑side and a cover drive, Donald dismissed Wellalage, then watched Brook and Buttler continue to dominate, together hitting 28 boundaries.
Brook also shared his thoughts on working with Pietersen, noting, "[Pietersen] looked at batting slightly differently, in a similar way to me as well. He always wants to put the bowlers under pressure. He was a phenomenal player.
The way he accessed different areas of the ground made it really tricky to captain and bowl to, and I'm looking forward to conversations about that. I mentioned to him earlier about trying to help me read surfaces and using my skills to perform on that pitch as well, not just for white‑ball cricket, Test cricket as well. Hopefully he can have a big impact on my career.
He's a hero to a lot of players. We grew up watching him and it's just awesome to have a man of his calibre in the changing room." Fans can catch England’s second T20 against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 pm on Thursday, with all times listed for the UK and Ireland.