New Delhi: Joe Root continued his brilliant run on the cricketing field with yet another special knock during the third and final ODI match between England and Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Batting first in the series-finale, Root remained unbeaten on 111 runs off just 108 balls including 9 fours and a lone six as England scored a massive 357 for 3 in the stipulated 50 overs.
This was Root’s 20th ODI century and overall across the formats, he registered his 61st international hundred. En route his special knock, Root became the first English cricketer to score 20 centuries in ODI format. None of the other English cricketers ever has scored 20 centuries in the 50-over format with Eoin Morgan being the next best with 13 ODI hundreds.
Most ODI hundreds for England
Joe Root – 20
Eoin Morgan – 13
Jason Roy – 12
Marcus Trescothick – 12
Jonny Bairstow – 11
Jos Buttler – 11
Meanwhile, in the overall list of most international hundreds by an active player, Root sits on the second position with the list being led by Virat Kohli who has 85 centuries to his name. After England lost the wickets of Rehan Ahmed and Ben Duckett early in the innings, Root stood form on the crease with an able hand from Jacob Bethell who contributed with 65 runs.
Harry Brook dazzles with blistering ton
After Bethell’s wicket, the dangerous Harry Brook came on to the crease and lit up the stadium with blistering century to power England to a big total. Brook played an unbeaten knock of 136 off just 66 balls studded with 11 boundaries and nine massive sixes. Together with Root, he stitched a partnership of 191 runs to push the Lankan bowlers against the wall.
Brook smashed his third century in the format and this was also his highest ODI score as he took the Lankan bowlers to the cleaners. Both the teams would be aiming for a winning finish with the series currently level at 1-1.