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Harry Brook blasts England to 2-1 series victory

Published

4 weeks ago

2026/01/28

Priyan

Harry Brook raced to a 57-ball hundred [Cricinfo]

England’s batting might have arrived in scintillating style for the third ODI against Sri Lanka as Harry Brook smoked 136 not out off 65 balls, Joe Root struck 111, and England mounted a mammoth score of 357 for 3.

On a track that has historically been unkind to chasing teams, Sri Lanka made a valiant charge at the target, led by Pavan Rathnayake, who hit a maiden international hundred in his fourth ODI.

Although Sri Lanka threatened at times, staying within range of the required rate, England’s bowlers struck too frequently, and were too economical through the middle overs. Sri Lanka were ultimately all out for 304 in the 47th over. Aside from Rathnayake’s 121 off 115, Pathum Nissanka’s 50 off 25 was the only other substantial score.

This victory hands England the ODI series 2-1 – their first away series victory since beating Bangladesh in March 2023. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have lost their first home ODI series since going down to India in 2021.

In the second innings, England’s attack hunted together – Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Will Jacks, and Liam Dawson all claiming two wickets apiece before Sam Curran bowled Rathnayake to bring the match to a close. But it had been their utter domination of the first innings that set up this win. Only two of the five batters who came to the crease was dismissed for less than 50 – Jacob Bethell also hitting 65 in a 126-run stand with Root.

Even that stand didn’t compare to the partnership that was to come, however – Root and Brook put on 191 together off as few as 113 deliveries. Although Root sped up towards the death, that transforming of what would have been a good total into a gargantuan one was all Brook’s doing. He crashed nine sixes and 11 fours, reaping 101 runs off the last 40 balls he faced. The final overs were a showcase of Brook’s extraordinary clean hitting; the last five overs cost Sri Lanka a dizzying 88 runs.

In cramming their attack with spinners, Sri Lanka had banked on getting wickets in the middle overs. When England arrived at the 40th over only three down, Sri Lanka were always likely to suffer in the final 10.

The three most-experienced bowlers’ figures make for the bleakest reading – Asitha Fernando went at 8.55 runs an over, while both Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay returned figures of 1 for 76 apiece from their 10 overs. Dunith Wellalage maintained an economy rate of 4.9, but this was largely a function of him having mostly bowled out before the death. In his last over – the 45th of the innings – Wellalage also conceded 13.

Before Brook’s assault, though, Root had given the innings some substance. When he arrived at the crease in the seventh over, England had made an inauspicious start – Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed having plodded along at less than three an over. Things did not seem to be improving when Ahmed pulled Hasaranga to short midwicket on 24, leaving England 40 for 2 in the 11th over.

But then Bethell and Root bedded down on a surface that wasn’t especially given to run scoring. As Sri Lanka unleashed its spin-heavy attack, the batters settled on spiking the scoring rate only occasionally, before returning to accumulating steadily. Root was brisker than Bethell, getting to fifty off the 54th ball he faced, but that’s only because he is a better manipulator of the field. Of those first 50 runs, only 18 came from boundaries. In fact, of his entire 111 off 108, 61 came from singles, twos, and threes.

The innings was already moving into a higher gear when Brook arrived. But Brook energized the advance, steering his first ball for four behind square, before unleashing the more powerful strokes. After 15 balls at the crease he had hit two fours and a six, but it was after the 43rd over that he really exploded.

The off-side hitting was spectacular; Brook would frequently make room to hit both spinners and seamers over the extra cover boundary to delight the thousands of England supporters who had made the trip for this series. Root completed his 20th hundred off the 100th ball he faced, and then largely just stayed out of Brook’s way.

While midwicket and cover were Brook’s favourite zones for six-hitting, he also peppered the boundary behind square on the offside with four. He faced all but two deliveries in the last two overs, and England scored 40 runs off them.

Nissanka set the hosts racing in response. He blasted five fours and three sixes inside the powerplay to get Sri Lanka ahead of the run rate, with a little help from Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis, who produced early cameos. But when Nissanka was dismissed in the 10th over, Sri Lanka’s chances nosedived, with two wickets having gone down already. Before long, they were 131 for 4.

Batting at No. 4 for the first time in ODIs, Rathnayake added the substance Sri Lanka’s runaway train of a chase required, however. He was severe on errors of length especially, and used his feet against spin to devastating effect, coming down the track repeatedly to hit them aerially over midwicket.

But he progressed at roughly a run-a-ball, choosing to take the game deep even as he ran out of partners. There was a 50-run stand for the seventh wicket with Dunith Wellalage, but it wasn’t enough. England continued to take Rathnayake’s partners out.

He didn’t just close up and play for the hundred. Aside from a little hesitation in moving from 99 to a first international ton, Rathnayake continued to pursue an unlikely total, even when the required rate had climbed past 12. But in the 47th over, Curran bowled a yorker that prompted a tired shot, and Rathnayake’s stumps were rattled. He’d hit 12 fours and a six in all.

Brief scores:
England 357 for 3 in 50 overs (Harry Brook 136*, Joe Root 111*, Jacob Bethell 65; Dhananjaya de Silva 1-45) beat Sri Lanka 304 in 46.4 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 121, Pathum Nissanka 50; Jamie Overton 2-48, Liam Dawson 2-48, Will Jacks 2-43, Adil Rashid 2-61) by 53 runs

Pavan Rathnayake anchored Sri Lanka’s run-chase [Cricinfo]

[Cricinfo]

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High stakes for a rare West Indies-Zimbabwe clash

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Shimron Hetmyer gets out the slog sweep [Cricinfo]

Two years ago, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup. Not only did they make the competition this time, they entered the Super Eights unbeaten.

First, it was Blessing Muzarabani who shut Australia down on a slow pitch in Colombo. Then their top four silenced the Khettarama crowd by chasing down 189 against Sri Lanka. The common factor in those wins were also Brian Bennett’s fifties and Sikandar Raza’s quick cameos. Muzarabani and Brad Evans are also among the top ten wicket takers in the tournament.

With contributions from several players, Zimbabwe could prove a handful for West Indies in Mumbai. They will have to make a quick adjustment, though, having played all their group matches in Sri Lanka, while West Indies have already played twice at the Wankhede.

These two sides have faced each other only four times in T20 internationals. When lined up player-against-player, West Indies – also undefeated – look stronger with bat, with an in-form Shai Hope, a rejuvenated Shimron Hetmyer at No. 3, and a solid finisher in Sherfaine Rutherford.

Having as many as three allrounders – with Romario Shepherd in line to return after injury – gives them the option of playing three fast bowlers and three spinners. It’s an ideal mix in Mumbai, where the quicks (35 wickets) and spinners (34) have been equally effective, averaging 26.28 and 26.25 respectively this tournament.

It’s a big game for both sides, with matches against India and South Africa to follow next. Who will get on the points table first?

Blessing Muzarabani is an early wicket-taker and a serial wicket-taker. He has height, pace and discipline on lengths that can be threatening, especially with the new ball. He also bowls at the death where he generally goes on the shorter side peppered in with the odd slower ball. That’s as all-conditions as it gets in T20s, and form is on his side too.

West Indies have a clear batting approach outlined by regular boundary hitting, and Shai Hope is the initiator and the glue as he sets up and builds innings. He has the virtues of an upgraded anchor who doesn’t have to shut down when the team is on the back foot. He is coming off two fifties, the second of which against Nepal saw him power through even as wickets fell at the other end.

Shepherd is fit again. He had strapping on his right leg as he bowled and batted for a while on Saturday. He hit one over the roof, but wasn’t as comfortable while bowling. If fit, he could replace Matthew Forde.

Zimbabwe haven’t tinkered with their squad much and that’s likely to remain the case. They could bring back Richard Ngarava for Graeme Cremer if they feel the need for pace.

West Indies (probable): Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd/Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosain, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.

Zimbabwe (probable): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer/Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

[Cricinfo]

Foreign News

Mexico’s most wanted drug lord ‘El Mencho’ killed in military operation

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho', was leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel [BBC]

Mexico’s most wanted man and the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel has been killed during a security operation to arrest him, the defence ministry has said.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, died on Sunday as he was being taken to the capital Mexico City, after being seriously injured in clashes between his supporters and the army.

Four CJNG members were killed in the town of Tapalpa, the central-western Jalisco state. Three army personnel were also injured. The US had given Mexico with information that assisted the operation.

CJNG retaliated by setting cars alight, building roadblocks and attacking security forces in eight states.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo later urged people to remain “calm”.

In a post on X, she wrote that “in most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally”.

The CJNG cartel – which had its original power base in Jalisco – is now present across Mexico.

El Mencho, a 59-year-old former police officer, ran a vast criminal organisation responsible for trafficking huge quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.

It had offered a $15m (£11.1m) reward for information leading to El Mencho’s capture.

In a statement, the Mexican defence ministry said the operation was “planned and executed” by the country’s special forces.

Aircraft from the Mexican Air Force and the National Guard were also deployed.

It also said that several armoured vehicles and weapons – including rocket launchers – were seized during the operation.

The US had been providing information to Mexico that assisted its operation, the statement said.

Reuters A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, February 22, 2026. — *A burning bus that appears to have been used as a roadblock by organised crime during the Mexican military’s move against El Mencho [BBC]*

Eyewitnesses have filmed plumes of smoke rising over several cities including Guadalajara – one of the host cities of the forthcoming Fifa World Cup.

In the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta, on the Jalisco coast, potentially thousands of tourists are trapped in the resort around the fighting.

Throughout Sunday, there were reports of gunmen on the streets in Jalisco and elsewhere.

The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, on social media advised residents of the state to adhere to a code red warning and avoid leaving their homes.

He also said that public transport was suspended in the state.

The US Department of State issued a shelter-in-place warning for US citizens in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, as well as some areas in Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.

Former US ambassador to Mexico and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described El Mencho on social media as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”

He added that El Mencho’s death was “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world”.

The killing of El Mencho represents a victory for the Mexican president in her fight against the country’s drug cartels.

It also could strengthen her relationship with US President Trump, who often has demanded more progress on security in Mexico.

However, if the security forces can’t bring the situation under control quickly, the Mexican administration’s victory may be overshadowed by the cartel’s violent response.

The Jalisco cartel has gained notoriety since it was formed in about 2010 for a series of attacks on security forces and public officials.

It has downed an army helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, killed dozens of state officials, and has even been known to hang the bodies of its victims from bridges to intimidate its rivals.

***[BBC]***

Latest News

All-round South Africa hammer India in Ahmedabad

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Stop press. India’s victory streak in T20 World Cups was halted at 12 by the side they stole one from in the final of the last World Cup. After a surprise call to bat first, South Africa recovered from 20 for 3 to post 187 and then launched just about the perfect defence both with tactics and execution in significant dew to secure a 76-run win, which could have significant net-run-rate implications as well.

David Miller and Dewald Brevis started the comeback with some special hitting to balance Jasprit Bumrah’s 3 for 15 with analysis of 4-0-47-1 for Varun Chakravarthy. Even though they lost muscle just before the death overs, Tristan Stubbs took 20 to give South Africa something to work with.

Given the dew and the improvement in batting conditions after the first four overs, 187 seemed light, but almost everything they tried with the ball worked.Aiden Markram bowled the first over and had an India opener out for a duck, Ishan Kishan this time. Marco Jansen had a wicket first ball, Lungi Ngidi was unhittable with his slower balls, Keshav Maharaj produced three boundary catches in one over, the catching was sensational, and the biggest partnership they allowed was 35.

Bumrah, Arshdeep hurt South Africa

It feels like a long time ago, but South Africa’s decision to bat first didn’t look good when Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh ran through the top order. Bumrah was spot on, getting Quinton de Kock with a ball that seamed back in to hit top of leg and bowling a bewitching slower offcutter with the new ball to get rid of Ryan Rickelton. With Arshdeep Singh getting Aiden Markram for the seventh time in the last 51 balls he has bowled at him, India looked unstoppable.

Miller, Brevis show class

Coming in at 20 for 3, it would have been easy for Miller to play the scoreboard and not the conditions. It is a skill we can’t even fathom the enormity of to judge that the conditions are improving and that they need to go for a big score and then to be able to execute it.

Miller, at his home ground in the IPL, used all his experience of the conditions to aim straight, go after spin more than pace, and pull South Africa out of the hole. Before Brevis could join his party, Miller had already raced away to 32 off 17, including a step-hit six and a four off Varun, which does suggest a bit of overpitching thanks to his proficiency off the back foot. Brevis announced him with a no-look six off Varun in the same over.

There was a point when the first seven overs of seam had gone for 3 for 37 as against 3-0-39-0 from spin. This is when India’s sloppiness turned up. That last ball to make it seven overs was a no-ball from Hardik Pandya. Miller hit the free hit for a six. Soon Shivam Dube offered him another free hit, which he again hit for a six to get to fifty.

Between those two free hits, Brevis showed glimpses of his genius, putting paid to Dube’s wide lines with two sixes and a four. Dube had his own back with another Brevis dismissal on the pull for 45 off 29, but followed it up with that no-ball.

Stubbs provides the finish

Varun was headed for his worst analysis in T20Is when he managed to have Miller caught at long-off for 63 off 35, staying seven short of the most he has conceded. The wicket came just before the death overs, allowing Bumrah to bowl at new batters. Bumrah returned two overs for eight runs and the wicket of Corbin Bosch, but Stubbs took toll of the only slightly soft over he could get at the death. Facing all six balls from Pandya in the last over, he hit two sixes off the last two balls to end up with 44 off 24.

Dream start for South Africa

It had been telegraphed, emailed and faxed that Markram would take the new ball against the three left-hand batters at the top. This time Kishan played two balls normally for dots, then tried to go over mid-on, but nearly fell prey to the low bounce of the black-soil pitch. Then he tried to slog across the line, Markram got this ball to grip, and India had lost an opener for a duck in four of their five matches.

India didn’t separate the left-hand batters with Suryakumar Yadav sticking to his comfort zone of No. 4. Varma didn’t quite wait for offspin to do damage as he charged at Jansen first ball and edged a lifting delivery.

The field sets against Abhishek Sharma, who got on the board in World Cup with a four off Markram and then a six and four off Rabada, but South Africa tied him down with clever fields and bowling. In his 12-ball stay, Abhishek played seven false shots. When he connected, there was a deep point and a deep cover in place. The final false shot was a product of that field set and a knuckle ball from Jansen. Abhishek must have thought even half a hit would be good enough with no one out on the leg side, but the knuckle ball stood up off his bat, and Bosch took a sensational catch despite a collision with Maharaj.

Bosch can do now wrong

India promoted Washington Sundar, who played ahead of Axar Patel because of South Africa’s left-hand batters but bowled only two overs for 17. He found himself stuck before edging the first ball he faced from Borch through to the keeper. Soon a length ball down the leg side took the cue end of Suryakumar’s bat for a catch to short midwicket. Surya scored 18 off 22. The asking rate had gone past two a ball four balls he was dismissed.

Strange last quarter

A perplexing sixth-wicket stand followed when Pandya and Dube seemed happy with 30 off 23 balls leading into the drinks break, suggesting they might be taking the MS Dhoni route of narrowing the gap and salvaging the net run rate. However, immediately after drinks everybody wanted to hit a six off every ball, and we had three c Stubbs b Maharaj dismissals in the 15th over.

With no batting left, Dube could do only so much although Miller did drop Dube once to impart the only little blemish on South Africa’s night. It didn’t hurt them much.

Brief scores:
South Africa 187 for 7 in 20 overs (David Miller 63, Dewald Brevis 45, Tristan Stubbs 44; Arshdeep Singh 2-28, Jasprit Bumrah 3-15, Varun Chakravarthy 1-47, Shivam Dube 1-32) beat India 111 in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 15, Suryakumar Yadav 18, Washington Sundar 11, Shivam Dube 42, Hrdik Pandya 18; Aiden Markram 1-05, Marco Jansen 4-22, Keshav Maharaj 3-24, Corbin Bosch 2-12) by 76 runs

[Cricinfo]