After England lost their tri-series opener against Pakistan on the same ground on Tuesday, Brook asked for his batters to show more positivity. On Thursday, he set the perfect example.
Brook’s strokeplay was irresistible. In a 116-ball stay, he mixed innovation with brutal power and deft touches. He scored all around the ground, clearing the ropes for 10 sixes and adding 21 fours.
A feature of Brook’s knock was his measured acceleration. The 27-year-old had only 13 runs from the first 24 deliveries he faced, then upped the pace to reach 50 from 42 balls. His century, his fourth in ODIs, was completed in 75 balls.
It was upon reaching three figures that Brook really cut loose. He went from 100 to 200 in only 39 balls.
After Tom Banton made 50 and his opening partner Ben Duckett a stodgy 29, Brook added 159 for the third wicket with Joe Root.
Root miscued to be caught for 69, leading England to promote Will Jacks to number five for a blistering unbroken stand of 185 from only 79 balls with Brook. Jacks clubbed a 25-ball half-century on his way to 66 not out.
As England added 156 in the final 10 overs, Brook passed Stokes’ record with a six whipped over the leg side off a full toss bowled by left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka.
Whether he was aware of the milestone or not, Brook did not acknowledge his achievement and, in the same over, was dropped at mid-off on 185.
Brook began the final over, delivered by seamer Janith Liyanage, on 186. He clobbered the first ball over the covers for six, then scampered back for two unlikely twos.
Fittingly, the double hundred was reached with a paddled-sweep, with Jacks already celebrating before the ball reached the boundary.
Two balls later, Brook skewed the final ball of the innings into the hands of third man and left arm in arm with Jacks.
