Harry Brook becomes first England batter to score ODI double century
Rawalpindi: Harry Brook’s love affair with Pakistani grounds reached a historic milestone when the England white-ball skipper smashed the fastest-ever double century in ODI cricket during the tri-series match against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Brook reached his double century off 114 balls during England’s second match of the tri-series, breaking the record previously held by India captain Shubman Gill, who had scored a double century off 117 balls against the West Indies in Guwahati earlier this year.
Brook, who has enjoyed his time in Pakistan, ripped apart the Sri Lankan bowling attack with his attacking strokeplay. He completed his double century in the final over of the innings and was dismissed off the last ball, but not before scoring a breathtaking knock.
The England skipper made 202 off 116 balls, including 10 sixes and 21 fours, as he put the Sri Lankan bowlers to the sword. Although Brook was brutal against almost everyone, he meted out special treatment to Eshan Malinga, Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage, scoring at a strike rate of over 200 against each of them.
Brook has now become the first England player to score an ODI double century. Ben Stokes held the previous record for the highest ODI score by an English cricketer, having scored 182 against New Zealand at The Oval in 2023.
Meanwhile, Brook is also the second non-opener to score an ODI double century, after Glenn Maxwell smashed a double century against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup.
His knock powered England to 429/4, their eighth total of 400 or more and their fourth-highest ODI score. England’s world-record total of 498/4 against the Netherlands remains their highest, followed by 481/6 against Australia and 444/3 against Pakistan.
Fastest ODI double centuries (by balls)
114 — Harry Brook vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 2026
117 — Shubman Gill vs West Indies, Guwahati, 2026
126 — Ishan Kishan vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2022
128 — Glenn Maxwell vs Afghanistan, Mumbai, 2023
136 — Pathum Nissanka vs Afghanistan, Pallekele, 2024