Harry Brook and Jos Buttler once again turned a T20 match into a fireworks display at Southampton, leading England to a dominant 254‑4 victory over Sri Lanka in the series opener – the first game played 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 consecutive boundaries. Buttler, the former white‑ball captain, contributed a rapid 80 off 44 balls.
Together they amassed a 128‑run partnership for the second wicket in just 60 balls after debutant Aneurin Donald was dismissed for 12, having hit a six and a four in a brief but lively cameo. The pair had already shown they could dominate at the same venue in July, when they compiled a 233‑run stand from 103 balls against India, propelling England to 257‑3 and a 4‑0 series sweep.
In that match Buttler recorded a century and Brook finished unbeaten on 95. Their chemistry was on full display again in Southampton, with Brook reaching the three‑figure mark for only the second time in his T20 International career, doing so in just 42 balls by combining brute power with clever running between the wickets. England’s total of 254‑4 was built on solid contributions from the top order: Brook’s 114 (no balls) and Buttler’s 80 set the platform, while Will Jacks added a quick 21 from 12 balls.
Sri Lanka’s reply collapsed at 135 all out in 19 overs, handing England a 119‑run win and marking Sri Lanka’s 13th consecutive defeat in the format since 2014. The loss also extended England’s recent run of success to 21 wins in their last 24 T20 Internationals. Key bowling figures for England included the young fast bowler Sonny Baker, who delivered an economical spell of 3‑12 from four overs, taking the wicket of Kamil Mishara (10) for his first white‑ball dismissal.
Leg‑spinner Adil Rashid chipped in with 1‑31, removing Dasun Shanaka after the latter had struck two sixes in quick succession. Brook’s innings was a masterclass in timing and placement. In the fifth over, he punished Sri Lankan left‑arm spinner Dunith Wellalage with six consecutive boundaries – three sixes and three fours – showcasing a mix of power and precision. His first boundary of the over was a daring six to long‑on, followed by a series of elegant shots: a lofted four over the bowler’s head, a scooped six over fine‑leg, a maximum over long‑off, and a final four that raced behind point.
Only Phil Salt has recorded a faster T20I hundred for England, achieving the feat in 39 balls against South Africa in 2025. Nonetheless, Brook’s performance sparked high praise from former England great Ben Stokes, who posted on social media: “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.” Stokes later added, “Both are freak talents but Brook is better in my opinion.” After the batting onslaught, Brook managed his bowlers wisely in the second half of the game. Sri Lanka’s chase faltered early, slipping to 69‑5 inside ten overs. Wellalage top‑scored with 33 off 21 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes, but the rest of the line‑up could not recover.
England’s seamers Jamie Overton (2‑20) and Liam Dawson (2‑23) shared four wickets between them, wrapping up the innings efficiently. The English side now looks to clinch the series with a match to spare in Cardiff on Thursday, followed by a final showdown at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday. Both fixtures will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Aneurin Donald, who earned his debut due to Phil Salt’s quad injury, will be eager to make a bigger impact in the second T20.
The 29‑year‑old, a product of the Glamorgan academy, became the first Cardiff‑born international since 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones. After a brief cameo that saw him loft a maximum leg‑side and drive a four through extra‑cover, Donald helped keep the pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers while Brook and Buttler continued to dismantle the opposition, together striking 28 boundaries. In a post‑match interview, England captain and player‑of‑the‑match Harry Brook reflected on his work with Kevin Pietersen.
He said: “[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 tune in to watch England’s second T20 against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 pm on Thursday (first ball at 6.30 pm). All times are UK and Ireland.