Who smashed Hobart? The Buttler did it

AS an international import, Jos Buttler knows extra scrutiny is on his performances wherever he travels.

But the English gloveman admits he put too much pressure on himself to deliver on joining the Sydney Thunder for BBL|07. Knowing he was only available for the Thunder’s first six matches, Buttler was desperate to have an impact after playing five games with the Melbourne Renegades in 2013-14.

It made Saturday night’s matchwinning performance against the Hurricanes in Launceston all the sweeter after three quiet matches by his lofty standards to open the tournament.

Buttler cracked 67 from 41 balls against Hobart — 28 of which came from one Tom Rogers over where he launched four sixes into the stands.

“Knowing I was only here for six games, I was really desperate to put in performances and maybe was putting too much pressure on myself,” said England’s ODI and Twenty20 gloveman.

“It is something I am learning, playing in a few franchise competitions, when you are the overseas player there is that added expectation on you.

“Any time you play for a new team you are desperate to put in performances for the guys to really stamp your mark within the side and gain that respect. Maybe I was trying a little too hard at times.”

Buttler’s stunning performance in the 12th over was the difference in the visitors reaching 5-166. And while his third maximum, hooking a bouncer which was called a no-ball, might not have been his biggest blow measured by broadcaster Channel 10, the 27-yearold said it was the most enjoyable.

“I don’t know if I have [ever hit four sixes in an over before], it was really enjoyable to produce a performance for the team. I think it was the third one [was the best] . . . the third one really came out of the screws,” he said.