Sri Lanka produced the second-highest successful chase in ODI history to complete an extraordinary two-wicket win over England in their high-scoring tri-series clash. Harry Brook smashed 202 from just 116 deliveries - the fastest double-hundred in ODI history and first ever by an Englishman - before being dismissed from the final ball of the innings, with England's 429-4 their fourth-highest total ever in the 50-over format. Sri Lanka slipped to 24-2 in reply but were offered hope by a 166-run third-wicket stand between Avishka Fernando (97) and Pavan Rathnayake, who completed an 87-ball century and put on another big partnership with Dasun Shanaka.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Rathnayake was dismissed for 130 and Shanaka fired eight maximums in his 97 from his 50 deliveries, before Janith Liyanage crashed in a 22-ball fifty to leave Sri Lanka needing eight runs from their final over. Josh Tongue moved momentum back England's way by bowling Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga in successive deliveries, only for Liyanage to fire a six off the penultimate ball and complete a famous victory. Sri Lanka's successful chase is just the third over 400 in ODI history and gives them their first points of the tri-series tournament, while England's second successive loss is another setback in their bid to reach the final on October 31.
England made a positive start after losing the toss and batting first, with Tom Banton racing to his half-century off 48 deliveries and putting on a 74-run opening stand with Ben Duckett. The left-arm spin of Dunith Wellalage (2-56) removed both openers, as Banton (50) picked out Liyanage in the deep and Duckett (29) was trapped LBW, while Joe Root pushed England forward before Brook's acceleration. Brook - who felt his side were 'too careful' in the middle overs against Pakistan - was 13 from 24 deliveries when he smashed Kamindu Mendis for successive sixes, with a boundary burst seeing him quickly pass 50 and put on a 159-run stand with Root (69).
Asitha Fernando (1-68) saw Root chip him to mid-wicket but that was not the end of England's onslaught, as Brook and Will Jacks (66 not out) added 185 - including a staggering 156 in the last 10 overs - to post their monster score. Brook took 39 balls from 100 to reach his double century, with his 31 boundaries - 21 fours and 10 of England's 13 sixes - setting another ODI record, before holing out to Sahan Arachchige off Liyanage (1-32) from the last delivery. England looked in full control when Tongue bowled Kamindu Mendis (18) and captain Kusal Mendis (0) was run out by Gus Atkinson at the non-striker's end without facing a ball, before Avishka and Rathnayake led Sri Lanka's rebuild.
Avishka was on the verge of his century when he was out caught and bowled by Jamie Overton (1-77), with Sri Lanka still needing 213 from the last 20 overs before an incredible late fightback under the lights. Rathnayake picked out Banton at long-on to end his impressive 106-ball innings, but Shanaka kept hopes alive by spanking Sam Curran (2-102) for three sixes during a brilliant 20-run over. Shanaka eventually picked out Banton in the deep off Liam Dawson (1-71) and Curran removed Arachchige (13) after a quick 43-run stand with Liyanage, who ended unbeaten 61 from 27 deliveries to guide Sri Lanka to their epic victory.
England captain Harry Brook, speaking at the presentation: "It was an incredible game of cricket. I thought both sides were exceptional but Sri Lanka just outplayed us unfortunately. "We didn't hit our straps with the ball and played to their strengths a little bit.
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