After England lost their first match of three series against Pakistan at the same ground on Tuesday, Brook asked his batters to show more positivity. On Thursday, he set the perfect example.
Brook’s punching game was irresistible. In a 116-ball stay, he mixed innovation with brutal power and deft touches. He scored all around the field, clearing the ropes for 10 sixes and adding 21 fours.
A feature of Brook’s shot was its measured acceleration. The 27-year-old made just 13 runs off the first 24 deliveries he faced and then picked up the pace to reach 50 off 42 balls. His century, his fourth in ODIs, was completed in 75 balls.
It was hitting triple digits that Brook really let loose. He went from 100 to 200 in just 39 balls.
After Tom Banton made 50 and opening partner Ben Duckett a heavy 29, Brook added 159 for the third wicket with Joe Root.
Root was wrong to be caught for 69, leading to England promoting Will Jacks to number five for an unbroken stand of 185 off just 79 balls with Brook. Jacks bludgeoned a 25-ball half-century en route to 66 not out.
As England added 156 in the last 10 overs, Brook surpassed Stokes’ record with a whipped six down the leg side off a full toss bowled by left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka.
Whether aware of this milestone or not, Brook did not recognize his achievement and, similarly, was dropped halfway through on 185.
Brook started the final over, delivered by seamer Janith Liyanage, on 186. He hit the first ball over the covers for six, then raced back for two improbable twos.
Fittingly, the double hundred was achieved with a sweep sweep, with the Jacks already celebrating before the ball reached the boundary.
Two balls later, Brook tipped the last ball of the inning into the hands of the third man and walked off arm in arm with Jacks.
Gn sports
