England white-ball skipper Harry Brook smashed a magnificent 49-ball 114* during the 1st T20I against Sri Lanka at Southampton on Tuesday night as England humbled the island nation by a massive 119-run margin to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.
Brook smashed 10 fours and 6 sixes during his innings as England posted 254 for 4 in 20 overs, their 4th-highest total in T20Is. In the defence, the hosts’ bowlers were all over the Sri Lankan batters, taking wickets at regular intervals and eventually bowling them out for just 135 runs. Brook was later adjudged the Player of the Match for his stupendous innings.
Brook’s second T20I century was simply phenomenal, and it impressed former England Test skipper Ben Stokes, who took to social media to praise the current England white-ball skipper for his heroics. Stokes compared Harry Brook with former England batting stalwart Kevin Pietersen, who is now a specialist mentor for England’s men’s white-ball team.
“I don’t even think the genius of KP could come close to what Harry Brook has talent-wise.”
Ben Stokes also urged fans to stop criticising players for their bad days. He said:
“Is it really that hard to just sit back and admire these players for what they are, on the good days and the bad days, and stop berating them for doing things that we would never, ever, ever even think of doing because we simply aren’t on their level to think that way? You are an absolute freak, Harry. You’re mint to watch.”
Replying to his earlier post, Ben Stokes later clarified his comments about Pietersen, saying:
“Bit harsh on KP actually; both are freak talents but Brook better IMO is my point.”
