England veteran Joe Root was forced to defend his younger teammate Harry Brook for a celebration after the win over Sri Lanka that some suggested was on the nose in light of a recent drinking scandal.
The 26-year-old lit up Colombo with a 57-ball century as England sealed a 2-1 ODI series victory over Sri Lanka.
Brook was the star of the show, blasting 136 off 66 balls with nine sixes and 11 fours. He was supported by Root who hit 111 off 108 balls as England posted 3-357.
When Brook reached triple figures he celebrated by taking both gloves off, knocking them together and tipping them towards his face.
Viewers noted it was a nod to famous WWE actor ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, whose trademark move was getting two cans, smashing them together and then pouring the alcohol into his mouth.
Brook has been in the gun recently over an incident during a tour of New Zealand last year, when he got into an altercation with a club bouncer while out on the drink the night before a match.
The story became public immediately following England’s 4-1 Ashes series loss to Australia earlier this month, in which Brook performed poorly.
For the incident in New Zealand, Brook was sacked as ODI captain and fined 30,000 pounds ($59,000) - the maximum financial penalty available to the England and Wales Cricket Board.
England’s team as a whole has been accused of having a drinking problem following a dismal series Down Under.
Brook explained his Steve Austin celebration following the match.
“It was just more about celebrating tonight with the boys,” Brook explained.
“Like I said the other day in my press conference, I’ve got to try and gain that trust back with the lads and the way I wanted to do that was perform, play well and lead from the front.”
Root, who was batting with Brook at the time, said he hoped Brook’s celebration would be received with the humour it was intended.
“I think that’s his way of doing that really,” Root said.
“He’s trying to show he wants that approval from the group, through humour.
“That’s another area of why he’s going to be a great leader, because he has that side to him as well.
“He’s showed his calmness and his clarity under pressure, and he’s also showed humour as well in doing that.
“Hopefully it’s received in the right way because there’s definitely no malice behind it, or anything other than trying to have a bit of a joke with his teammates.”
Brook is considered a generational talent with the bat but was criticised during the Ashes for an inability to read match situations, and slow his tempo accordingly.
In white-ball cricket it doesn’t matter as much, and his century on Tuesday night was electric.
“Working on a few things in the nets and it paid off,” Brook said.
“Glad me, Rooty and Beth could get us to that total … Root is exceptional, to have him in the side helps every day.”
England will now look to next month’s T20 World Cup.
- Agencies
