The ODI World Cup is approaching, and teams are playing the 50-over format with full intensity. One such match between Sri Lanka and England turned into a record-breaking thriller.
A record ODI chase unfolded in Rawalpindi, where England posted a massive total powered by Harry Brook double hundred. However, Sri Lanka refused to back down and chased down the target. Check out all the top details of the match with Playcric.
How Did Sri Lanka Approach the Record ODI Chase?
The SL vs Eng was intense from the start. England was fully aggressive and thus set such a big score. However, Sri Lanka also did not drop the match. They fought hard and pulled off what seemed impossible at one stage.
England Innings
England batted first and got off to a solid start. Root and Banton set the pace with half-centuries. However, the main highlight was Harry Brook double hundred. This is now the fastest in the ODI format.
His innings helped the team cross the 400 mark. Also, his team almost made Sri Lanka out of the game.
Sri Lanka Innings
The target was so big. Thus, Sri Lanka had to play aggressively. However, while doing so, they lost quick wickets.
From here, Fernando and Rathnayake started slowly, trying to rebuild the innings. Later, they accelerated. The late-order hitting from Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage made the difference. They ensured the team got the victory, and Sri Lanka did it with one ball to spare.
Harry Brook Double Hundred
The match was not only special for the record ODI chase. Another record fell. Brook played a phenomenal innings and hit a double century. He reached the milestone in just 114 balls, which is the fastest ODI double hundred, breaking Gill’s previous record.
Brook’s innings in numbers:
- Runs: 202
- Balls: 116
- Fours: 21
- Sixes: 10
This was the first ODI double century by an England batter, surpassing Ben Stokes’ previous best of 182. Despite the record, Brook ended up on the losing side, which made the feat bittersweet.
Top Record ODI Chases
Sri Lanka played exceptionally well to chase such a big total. However, this was not the biggest chase in ODI history. There are other entries in that list.
1. 435 – South Africa vs Australia
This remains the record ODI chase. It was set twenty years ago in Johannesburg, and the record still stands. South Africa knocked off the target of 435 against Australia in a thrilling one-wicket win.
2. 430 – Sri Lanka vs England
This is the second-highest successful chase, achieved today in Rawalpindi. Sri Lanka’s 430 for 8 is now the second-best in ODI history, only behind South Africa’s effort.
3. 406 – India vs West Indies
This chase was completed by India earlier this year. Shubman Gill helped the team chase down 406 against the West Indies in Guwahati.
Who Were The Heroes For Sri Lanka?
The record ODI chase looked dead at one point. Sri Lanka had lost two early wickets, and the required rate kept climbing. But a few players stood up when it mattered.
- Avishka Fernando: He started the repair job. He did not go for big shots immediately. Instead, he kept on rotating the strike to keep the score moving.
- Pavan Rathnayake: The real hero for Sri Lanka. He got the POTM award. His partnership with Fernando gave hope to the team. The record ODI chase would be tough without this calm phase.
- Dasun Shanaka: He walked in and changed the tempo instantly. He attacked from the first ball and put the England bowlers under pressure.
- Janith Liyanage: He held one end and matched him shot for shot. He paired with Shanka and took his team past the line with just one ball to spare.
So while Brook’s double hundred grabbed the headlines, the real story of the result sits with these four batters. Sri Lanka did not win because of one individual. They won because different players took responsibility at different stages.
What This SL vs Eng Result Tells Us About the ODI World Cup
This record ODI chase is a warning sign for every team heading into the World Cup. Big totals no longer guarantee wins. England posted 430-plus and still lost. This says that the ODI has shifted heavily.
Sri Lanka showed that big targets are also not out of reach. If you keep the wickets, then 400 can also be chased.
England, on the other hand, has some thinking to do. Their bowling fell apart under pressure. Brook’s record-breaking knock ended up meaningless because the bowlers could not defend a massive total. That is a concern going into a major tournament.
Tri Series Update
This match was part of the Pakistan tri-series. Currently, Pakistan sits on top of the table. With this record ODI chase, Sri Lanka moved to second place. England, without a win, is at the bottom of the standings. Three more matches remain before the final.
The match schedule of the series is available on Playcricnews. Users can also catch live scores and updates on the site. So, stay tuned to Playcric to get all the updates on time.
