Brook unhappy with Khettarama pitch despite victory with Joe Root critical of the conditions of the pitch too.
Brook slams ‘worst pitch’ as England prevail in spin-heavy contest.
Following England’s five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI, both Joe Root and Harry Brook criticised the Khettarama pitch, despite their relief at winning away from home for the first time in twelve attempts.
In a 220-run chase, the two were their team’s mainstays, contributing 81 for the third wicket on a sluggish, dry field where England used six different spin options in 40.3 overs of Sri Lanka’s innings—a record for their team in ODIs.
At the post-match ceremonies, Root acknowledged, “I don’t think that’s a great wicket for ODI cricket, if I’m being brutally honest.” Root continued his 61 in Thursday’s opening game with a Player of the Match-winning 75 from 90 balls.
Brook, England’s captain, was even more succinct in his appraisal. “That pitch is probably the worst pitch I’ve ever played on,” he said, after resisting his natural impulses to make 42 from 71 balls – a strike rate of 56.00 which was slower than all but two of his ten Ashes innings (one of which was a first-ball duck).
“It’s nice to get a win away from home and on a tough surface,” Brook said. “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.”