Harry Brook and Jos Buttler turned the Southampton T20 into a fireworks display, guiding England to a massive 254‑4 victory over Sri Lanka and a 119‑run margin in the series opener – the first match under Kevin Pietersen’s new role as white‑ball mentor. Brook, the white‑ball captain, smashed an unbeaten 114 runs off just 49 deliveries, including a blistering over in which he struck six consecutive boundaries.
Buttler, his predecessor in the one‑day captaincy, added a rapid 80 off 44 balls. Together they amassed 128 runs from only 60 balls for the second wicket after debutant Aneurin Donald contributed a quick 12 from five balls, capping his cameo with a six and a four. The partnership echoed a similar on‑field partnership the two had forged earlier in the summer at the same ground.
In July, Brook and Buttler combined for a ferocious 233‑run stand off 103 balls against India, propelling England to 257‑3 and sealing a 4‑0 series sweep. On that occasion Buttler reached a century while Brook finished unbeaten on 95. The current performance, however, was even more spectacular, as Brook reached the three‑figure mark for the second time in his T20 international career, doing so in just 42 balls by mixing towering hits with razor‑sharp running between the wickets.
England’s innings unfolded as follows: Harry Brook 114 no (off 49), Jos Buttler 80 (off 44), Will Jacks 21 (off 12). Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled, with Wanindu Hasaranga the most economical at 1‑34. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 135 in 19 overs, falling 119 runs short of the target.
Their top‑order contributions were modest – Dunith Wellelage 33 (off 21), Dasun Shanaka 24 (off 14), and Eshan Malinga 13 (off 5). England’s bowlers shared the wickets: Sonny Baker claimed three for 12 in four overs, including the prized scalp of Kamil Mishara (10) for his first white‑ball wicket; Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson each took two, while Will Jacks added a solitary wicket. The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 pm (first ball at 6:30 pm) on Thursday, with the second T20 of the series scheduled for Cardiff later that week.
This time, the roles were reversed: Buttler, playing his first innings since the Hundred final at Lord’s on 16 August, missed out on a century, while Brook celebrated his maiden T20I ton. Their explosive display left former England great Kevin Pietersen smiling throughout – the former 14,000‑run international who now mentors the side.
Sri Lanka’s collapse was swift and decisive. After a solid start, they slumped to 69‑5 within the first ten overs of the chase, making any realistic target impossible. The highest scorer was Wellalage, who managed 33 off 21 balls, peppered with four fours and two sixes, but the rest of the line‑up could not recover. England’s fielding unit, led by the energetic Brook, kept the pressure relentless, rotating bowlers smartly and ensuring the Sri Lankan batsmen never found a rhythm.
Brook’s innings was a masterclass in power‑hitting and placement. In the fifth over, he attacked left‑arm spinner Dunith Wellalage with six consecutive boundaries – three sixes and three fours – showcasing a blend of brute force and finesse. His first boundary of the over was a daring six onto the long‑on cushion, followed by a series of immaculate shots: a lofted four over the bowler’s head, a scooped six over fine leg, a maximum over long‑off, and a crisp four behind point. Such a sequence underlined his ability to read length and adjust his swing instantly.
Only Phil Salt has recorded a faster T20I century for England, reaching the milestone in 39 balls against South Africa in 2025 when England posted 304‑2 in Manchester. Yet Brook’s 114‑run blitz, achieved in less than half the time, placed him firmly among the elite power‑hitters of the modern game. Former England Test captain Ben Stokes took to social media to praise Brook’s talent, writing, "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, "Bit harsh on KP actually. Both are freak talents but Brook is better in my opinion." The endorsement from a player of Stokes' stature highlights the growing reputation Brook is building on the international stage.
Looking ahead, England will aim to clinch the series with a game to spare in Cardiff on Thursday, followed by the final showdown at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday. Both matches will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket. Young Welshman Aneurin Donald, who earned his debut after Phil Salt’s quad injury, will be eager to make a more substantial impact in his home country.
Donald, a product of the Glamorgan academy, became the first Cardiff‑born international since 2005 Ashes hero Simon Jones. After a brief cameo that included a maximum leg‑side and a crisp cover drive, he helped set the platform for Brook and Buttler to dismantle the Sri Lankan attack, with the duo collectively striking 28 boundaries. In a post‑match interview, England captain and player of the match Harry Brook reflected on Pietersen’s influence: "[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."