SL vs ENG 2026: Harry Brook slams 'worst ever' pitch after ODI victory

English skipper Harry Brook has slammed the pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium after the second ODI of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. Chasing 220, the tourists won the second ODI by five wickets and 22 deliveries to spare.

Brook mentioned that it felt nice to end the 11-match losing streak away from home and finally win a match. He also commented on the challenging nature of the sluggish pitch for the batters in the middle.

"It's nice to get a win away from home and on a tough surface. We're happy to get the victory. The pitch is probably the worst pitch I've ever played on. You had to go out there and adapt as quick as possible, and just try to get off strike and get the other batter on strike," stated Brook, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Joe Root, who ended up being awarded the Player of the Match award for his all-round display, shared that he enjoyed travelling to Sri Lanka. The senior batter remarked that the deck was a 'very difficult' one and even he did not feel that the surface was what suited ODI cricket. 

"I always love coming to Sri Lanka. It's a great country. I always feel extremely welcomed from everyone, and obviously enjoy playing here. So, it's nice to get the win on a very difficult surface. I was just trying to take the ball as late as possible. 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 in the first game, both with bat and ball, and that got us across the line," noted Root.

An 81-run stand between Brook and Root was instrumental in setting up the win for England. Batting in general was a tough task across both innings as spinners took 11 of the 15 wickets that fell across the match. The third match will be played at the same venue on January 27.