“Daws was probably our best bowler”: Harry Brook explains why Adil Rashid was dropped

Harry Brook Defends Adil Rashid Omission After Sri Lanka’s Record ODI Chase

England captain Harry Brook has defended the decision to leave Adil Rashid out of the side after Sri Lanka completed the highest successful run chase in men’s one-day international history. The hosts overhauled England’s target of 430 in a dramatic finish, winning by two wickets and turning Brook’s landmark double century into a losing cause.

The selection call drew criticism after the match, including from former England captain Nasser Hussain, who questioned whether England had enough wicket-taking threat in the middle overs. Brook, however, stood by the choice to bring in Liam Dawson, arguing that the left-arm spinner was England’s most effective bowler on a challenging day.

Brook backs Dawson despite England’s defeat

Rashid has been a regular presence in England’s ODI side, appearing in 159 of the team’s 186 men’s one-day internationals since June 2015. His omission was therefore a notable decision, particularly in a match where England needed to take wickets to defend a formidable total.

Brook said he still believed Dawson had been the right selection, even after seeing Sri Lanka complete the chase. He praised Dawson for maintaining a disciplined line and repeatedly targeting the stumps, a strategy that can create pressure and bring bowled and lbw dismissals into play.

“We brought Daws in for Rash, and I think Daws was probably the pick of the bowlers,” Brook said. He added that Dawson had kept the stumps in play for much of his spell and had been England’s best bowler in the high-scoring contest.

Brook’s comments underline the difficulty of judging a team selection solely by the result. England’s decision was based on the conditions and the role they expected Dawson to perform. But with Sri Lanka’s batters repeatedly finding ways to score, the absence of a proven attacking spinner inevitably became a focus after the match.

Hussain highlights England’s middle-overs problem

Hussain’s criticism went beyond the choice between Dawson and Rashid. He pointed to a longer-running issue: England’s struggle to take wickets during the middle overs of ODI innings. In that phase, teams often try to rebuild after the powerplay while keeping enough wickets in hand for a late scoring surge. If the bowling side cannot break partnerships, the chase can remain within reach even when the required rate is high.

Hussain said England’s middle-overs wicket-taking record had been a concern over the previous two or three years. He also argued that the team would benefit from the return of fast bowler Jofra Archer, whose pace and ability to strike can provide a different kind of attacking threat.

He also called for Rashid to return to his best form, while acknowledging that injuries may have affected the leg-spinner. Rashid remains one of England’s most experienced white-ball bowlers, but Hussain suggested that reputation alone cannot solve the team’s problem: England need him to produce the control and wicket-taking impact that have made him such an important player.

The debate is significant for England’s wider ODI plans. A side can post a huge total and still be vulnerable if it cannot take wickets at key moments. The match offered a sharp reminder that defending a target is not only about restricting runs; it is also about disrupting partnerships before the opposition’s finishers take control.

Brook’s double century sets up a record-breaking target

England’s innings began steadily, with Tom Banton making a half-century before Joe Root added 69 from 66 deliveries. Brook then took charge, producing a commanding 202 to become the first England batter to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket.

His innings gave England a total of 430, a score that would ordinarily be expected to put the batting side in a strong position. Brook combined power with sustained aggression, keeping the scoreboard moving and forcing Sri Lanka’s bowlers to defend for long periods. Yet the size of the target was not enough to secure victory as Sri Lanka responded with an extraordinary batting performance.

Sri Lanka’s batters turn an enormous chase into history

Sri Lanka made an energetic start through Avishka Fernando, who scored 97 before missing out on a century. His innings helped establish momentum, but the chase still demanded sustained contributions from the middle order.

Pavan Rathnayake supplied one of the decisive performances, making 130 and keeping Sri Lanka’s pursuit alive through the middle stages. Dasun Shanaka added 97, giving the hosts another substantial contribution as the required runs continued to fall. When the match reached its closing overs, Janith Liyanage provided the decisive burst, striking 61 from just 27 balls.

That late acceleration proved crucial. Sri Lanka crossed the line with two wickets remaining, completing a successful chase of 430 and setting a new benchmark in men’s ODI history. The result reflected not just one outstanding innings but a series of partnerships and timely attacks that prevented England from regaining control.

What the result means for England

For England, the defeat raises questions about bowling balance, middle-overs strategy and the way the team responds when a high total is under threat. Brook’s defence of Dawson shows that the captain remains confident in his selection, but the record chase will intensify scrutiny of England’s options in spin and pace.

The next challenge is to turn the discussion into practical improvement. England will need sharper plans for breaking partnerships, greater consistency with the ball and clarity over how Rashid fits into the team’s combination. Archer’s availability could add pace and penetration, while Rashid’s form will remain an important part of the selection conversation.

Any prediction about England’s response should be cautious: one remarkable match does not define a whole campaign. Still, Sri Lanka’s historic victory has exposed an area England cannot ignore. Brook’s double century demonstrated the team’s batting potential; the record-breaking chase showed that even a huge score offers no guarantee without a bowling attack capable of taking wickets when pressure rises.