Harry Brook delivered a brutally honest verdict after England secured a second ODI victory over Sri Lanka, with his assessment of the pitch likely to place fresh pressure on the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
Despite the win strengthening England’s position in the series, Brook did not hold back when describing the playing conditions.
His comments immediately after the match made it clear that, while England were satisfied with the result, the surface itself became the main talking point.
Harry Brook brands surface the ‘worst’ despite England win
Speaking after the match, Brook acknowledged the importance of the result while making clear how difficult the conditions were for batters.
“It’s nice to get a win away from home and on a tough surface. We’re happy to get the victory. The pitch is probably the worst pitch I’ve ever played on.
“You had to go out there and adapt as quick as possible, and just try to get off strike and get the other batter on strike,” Brook said.
England’s win in the second ODI gave them momentum in the series and underlined their ability to adapt in sub-continental conditions. The match was low-scoring and dominated by bowlers, with uneven bounce and slow turn forcing both sides into survival mode rather than free-flowing cricket.
Brook’s comments, however, go beyond performance and raise questions about pitch preparation standards. With Sri Lanka hosting a major bilateral series, scrutiny is now likely to fall on the local curators and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board regarding the balance between challenge and fairness.
England bowlers praised after decisive performance
Brook was quick to shift credit toward England’s bowling unit, who played a decisive role in securing the victory despite Sri Lanka’s familiarity with home conditions.
“The bowlers did an amazing job there,” he said. “Obviously, they [Sri Lanka] are used to these conditions, so to bowl them out was awesome work from them guys.”
England’s attack exploited the surface effectively, using variations in pace and length to restrict scoring and force mistakes. Bowling Sri Lanka out on a pitch tailored to local strengths was a significant achievement and proved decisive in the outcome.
With the series still ongoing, Brook’s remarks ensure the conversation will not just be about results, but also about the quality of playing surfaces. How the Sri Lanka Cricket Board responds may become almost as important as what happens on the scoreboard in the remaining matches.
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