Joe Root, Harry Brook Label Colombo Pitch As “Worst” for ODI Cricket

Against Sri Lanka, Joe Root has amassed 136 runs across two matches, averaging 68 with two half-centuries to remain the series' top run-getter.

Joe Root, Harry Brook Label Colombo Pitch As “Worst” for ODI Cricket

Joe Root and Harry Brook slammed the surface at the Premadas Stadium in Colombo. (via India TV News)

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After securing a hard-fought victory in the second ODI against Sri Lanka, England captain Harry Brook and Joe Root publicly criticized the pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Both English players went so far as to call the surface as the ‘worst’ for ODI cricket. 

After 11 consecutive losses, England secured an ODI victory on foreign soil after two long years, levelling the three-match series against Sri Lanka, 1-1. In this low-scoring thriller in Colombo, the home side was dismissed for only 219 in their first innings. Joe Root, Adil Rashid, and Jamie Overton each took two wickets. Root also starred with the bat, scoring a crucial 75 runs off 90 deliveries to anchor the innings, as Harry Brook and Jos Buttler finished the chase in 46.2 overs, with five wickets to spare.

Interestingly, England bowled a record 40.3 overs of spin in the match, the most they have ever delivered in an ODI, surpassing the 36 overs of spin bowled against Pakistan in Sharjah in 1985. The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo favored spinners in both the first and second ODIs. It generated close to 3.5 degrees of spin, making it difficult for batters to navigate the middle overs in the first two games.

Furthermore, both teams have failed to reach the 300-run mark so far, indicating bowling-friendly conditions. Although the victory brought relief to Harry Brook and the England team, the 26-year-old was left disappointed by the spin-friendly nature of the pitch in Colombo during the second ODI. He described the surface as the ‘worst’ he had ever played on, underscoring how challenging it was to bat on.

On a tough surface, we’re happy to get the victory. Probably the worst pitch I’ve ever played on and you had to go out there and adapt as quick as possible and just try and get off strike and get the other batter on strike.

Harry Brook’s sentiments were shared by his England teammate Joe Root, who secured the Player of the Match award for his composed batting and skillful handling of the Sri Lankan spinners throughout his innings. Despite his success, Root was not fond of the pitch, stating that the surface is inadequate for ODIs and that forming partnerships was the only method to endure the turning conditions. He added:

Nice to get the win on a very difficult surface… I don’t think that’s a great wicket for ODI cricket if I’m being brutally honest, but we found a way today and we adapted and learned from the mistakes we made.

The Three Lions are looking to conclude their disappointing run in the 50-over format by winning the series decider, to be played at the same venue on January 27. Following the ODI series, England and Sri Lanka will compete in a three-match T20I series in Pallekele.

Joe Root moves past Kevin Pietersen’s England record following heroics against Sri Lanka

Joe Root appears to be in excellent form in the 50-over format as well, evidenced by his match-winning knock of 75 runs against Sri Lanka. His 90-ball innings was instrumental in helping the Three Lions secure a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Joe Root Kevin Pietersen record
Joe Root surpassed Kevin Pietersen’s record for the most POTM awards for England. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Chasing a 220-run target, England lost opener Rehan Ahmed early on, but Ben Duckett and Root stabilized the innings with a 72-run partnership off 68 balls. After Duckett was dismissed for 39, Root and Harry Brook added another 81 runs, bringing the visitors close to victory. Root fell short of a well-deserved century, having also scored 61 runs off 90 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, in a losing cause.

Root also shone with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/13 in his 2.3 over spell, which ultimately earned him the Player of the Match award. The veteran batter has now won 27 POTM awards, putting him on top of the list of players with the most awards for England. He achieved this milestone across 383 matches in all three formats, surpassing the legendary Kevin Pietersen‘s record of 26 POTM awards.

13 of Joe Root’s POTM awards have been in red-ball cricket, 12 in ODIs, and two in T20Is. Following closely behind Root and Kevin Pietersen are Jos Buttler, with 24 POTM awards in 399 matches, and former captain Eoin Morgan, who has 23 POTM awards from 379 appearances.

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