England’s stand-in captain, Harry Brook, achieved his maiden ODI ton at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on September 24, Tuesday. In a rain-marred third ODI of the five-match series, England secured a crucial 46-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, marking their first win in the format since December 2023. Brook’s innings helped England end the ODI World Champions’ impressive 14-match winning streak in the format.
After being asked to bat first, Australia posted a formidable 304/7. England, seeking to stay alive in the five-match series after losing the first two matches, found themselves in early trouble at 11/2. However, Brook partnered with Will Jacks (who scored 84) and stitched a crucial 156-run stand that shifted the momentum of the game. Brook then teamed up with all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who contributed a quickfire 33* off just 20 balls, allowing England ahead of the DLS par score before rain halted play in the 38th over.
Brook scored a half-century with the help of just 33 balls as he quickened the innings, keenly aware of the weather conditions. He reached his maiden century with back-to-back boundaries. With his ton, he broke England legend Alastair Cook’s long-standing record for the youngest English captain to score a century in the 50-over format. Brook, who was captaining the side in the absence of Jos Buttler, who is recovering from a right calf injury, finished unbeaten on 110 from 94 balls, featuring 13 boundaries and two maximums. For Australia, Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, Steve Smith added a steady 60, but Australia lost momentum when Green (42) and Marnus Labuschagne (0) fell in quick succession. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey led the side from the front and top-scored, with an unbeaten 77 of 65 deliveries, including seven fours and one six. In addition, Aaron Hardie contributed a late 44 off 26 balls as Australia managed to post a competitive score. Jofra Archer was key for the hosts, claiming two wickets for 67 runs.
We started off really nice with the ball, with the bat me and Jacks tried to stay out there as long as “possible and build that partnership. I definitely thought the pitch got better towards the end of Australia’s innings. It’s nice to get the first one (talking about his maiden ODI hundred) off the board and hopefully many more to come. We’re gonna keep on doing what we said we are gonna do and keep the group positive which will hold us in good stead,” Brook said after receiving the Player of the Match award.