Harry Brook says England’s pursuit of a flawless T20 World Cup performance makes for an exciting prospect.
Sunday’s 51‑run victory over co-hosts Sri Lanka has left England on the cusp of the semi-finals, top of their group with Pakistan and New Zealand both on a point each after their game was rained off.
Beat either Pakistan in Pallekele on Tuesday or New Zealand in Colombo on Friday – both live on Sky Sports Cricket – and England will progress, all while the search for a complete performance in the tournament continues.
“We still haven’t had that perfect game,” England captain Brook said. “With the bat, we haven’t managed to get the starts and the big scores we’d like. But I think that’s quite an exciting prospect.
“I see that as something coming very soon, and with the likes of Jos Buttler not coming off, Jacob Bethell, myself, Tom Banton not getting big scores, and us still managing to get over the line and get the job done, it’s awesome.
“Hopefully those rewards will come a little bit later down the line.”
Will Jacks was one of only two England players to pass 20 as England once again underwhelmed with the bat against Sri Lanka, amassing what seemed a sub-par 146 for nine, largely thanks to Phil Salt’s 62 from 40 balls.
Having made 21 off 14 deliveries, Jacks opened the bowling for just the third time in his England career and the first since being clubbed for 22 in an over against Australia at the 2024 tournament in the Caribbean.
But he bowled a four-over spell, claiming 3-22 as Sri Lanka lurched to 34-5 on a tacky pitch before England skittled their opponents for 95.
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Highlights from England’s 51-run victory over Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup Super 8s clash in Pallekele
Jacks has been England’s standout performer in the tournament, with his lower-order contributions against Nepal and Italy proving instrumental, and Brook is delighted with how the all-rounder is performing.
“He is a very competitive lad,” Brook said. “He was annoyed when he got out. After his first over he said, ‘I always bowl better when I’m annoyed.’ That was one of the reasons I kept him on.
“He is that perfect player. He is the jack of all trades who can do everything. He is awesome in the field and with the bat and, like we saw here, very good with the ball. He started us off beautifully.”
Having scraped through the first group stage in India, Brook wanted his side to turn over a new leaf in Sri Lanka, whom they recently defeated 3-0 in a T20 warm-up series at this venue.
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Michael Atherton says Jos Buttler must find form quickly in a crucial opening partnership for England
But a 12th consecutive T20 win over the tournament co-hosts was also inspired by Salt propping up England after more top-order woes, including from Buttler, who made a tortured seven off 14 balls for his third successive single-figure score.
“That 60 has won us the game, really,” Brook said of Salt. “He wasn’t as destructive and fluent as he can be, but he’s played the situation perfectly there.
“We knew that we were slightly under par. But the bowling was just phenomenal. We’ve had a lot of experience here, playing three games against Sri Lanka, and the main message was the belief.
“The other message was to go out and fight, and fight we did.”
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Jofra Archer says England are getting there and every game is better than the last after a Super 8s victory over Sri Lanka
Jofra Archer, who dismissed Pathum Nissanka to spark Sri Lanka’s collapse, echoed his captain’s sentiment on Salt’s impact, and England’s development through the tournament.
“Every game is better than the last, and we’ll get there. It’s not a sprint,” he said.
“I’m impressed with all the batters. That’s not a role that Phil’s usually doing. The old Phil Salt would have probably gotten out at 30 – very proud of him.
“The other lads didn’t get the runs they needed, but we spoke about how we wanted to get out. We were a bit tentative in India. It didn’t come off today, but at least the guys are trying.”
England’s T20 World Cup Super 8s results and fixtures
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports Cricket
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