Brook likened to Pietersen after 114 not out as England crush Sri Lanka in Southampton
Harry Brook scored 114 not out as England beat Sri Lanka by 119 runs in the first T20 international at Southampton on 15 September 2026. England made 254-4 in 20 overs with Jos Buttler contributing 80, and Sri Lanka were dismissed for 135 in 19 overs.
Brook's innings of 114* came off 49 balls and included 10 fours and six sixes, coming after a summer in which he did not record a Test hundred. Kevin Pietersen, the recently appointed mentor to England through to next year's World Cup, was cited by several observers as a point of comparison for Brook's aggression and intensity.
Brook and Buttler shared a 128-run partnership after debutant Aneurin Donald had scored 12, powering England to their 254-4 total; Buttler finished on 80 from 44 balls. Brook's attacking running between the wickets and ability to hit around the ground were prominent features of the innings.
Ben Stokes, watching on television, praised Brook, saying: "I don't even think the genius of KP could come close to what Harry Brook has talent-wise," and added, "You are an absolute freak, Harry." Brook said: "I used to love watching him bat when I was younger," said Brook, external - then little more than a year into his international career. "He always looked to take the attack to bowlers and put them under pressure. In that aspect, I'm quite similar."
The article set out statistical comparisons between the two players at Brook's age of 27: Pietersen's Test average, which finished at 47.28 after 104 Tests, stood at 49.55 at this stage, while Brook's Test average is 53.08 though Pietersen had two more centuries. In one-day internationals Pietersen averaged 47.87 with six centuries compared with Brook's 37.43 and three centuries, and Brook's second T20 century on the south coast is described as "two more than Pietersen ever managed."
The piece noted differences in signature shots and backgrounds: Pietersen is credited with inventing the switch hit, a stroke Brook rarely plays, while Brook favours a tumbling scoop that was not used in this match. It also mentioned their formative environments, saying Pietersen was educated in Pietermaritzburg and Brook grew up under the Cumbrian hills in Sedbergh, and described similarities in how both pick lengths to pull, flat-bat or cut deliveries.
England's bowling dismissed Sri Lanka for 135 in 19 overs, with Sonny Baker taking 3-12 from his four overs; Chamika Wellalage top-scored for Sri Lanka with 33 from 21 balls. The report added that England completed the victory without Jofra Archer or Sam Curran in the side, and quoted Brook after the match: "I thought the performance tonight was near perfect."
Pietersen's earlier innings were outlined as context for the comparison: his 158 at The Oval helped win the 2005 Ashes in his fifth Test and he also scored 158 in Adelaide, while Brook's Test best of 317 in Pakistan was noted alongside the fact Brook's best Ashes score remains 85 and he has not yet won the urn. England have signalled Pietersen's role through to next year's 50-over World Cup, with the article stating England want Pietersen to help them win that tournament and adding, "He will do well to improve on this."
