JOS AMAZING
Sensational ton from brilliant Buttler set England on way to their first series victory in Australia
JOS BUTTLER’S stunning ton inspired his England team-mates to their ‘best ever’ win and their maiden one-day series win in Australia.
They might have won the odd triangular tournament out here before, but this team stared down Australia in a bilateral series in their own backyard to create history and they did it with a style and a swagger that is the hallmark of Eoin Morgan’s revolution.
Buttler and Morgan were in agreement about the 16-run win in which England’s total of 302-6 was beyond expectations, and their bowlers made up for the loss of Liam Plunkett with a hamstring injury after sending down just eight balls.
“I’m very proud of the boys in what was our best performance as a group in the last two years,” said Morgan. “It feels awesome to have won the series.
“To have a guy with Jos’s capabilities and talent in our team, we are very privileged. “We have seen him do that before but against one of the best sides in the world it was great to watch.” Buttler’s remarkable fifth one-day hundred was the performance of a man in total control of his game, matching his talent with experience to devastating effect on what was anything but an easy batting surface. England came unstuck in the Champions Trophy against Pakistan in similar circumstances, but this display shows they have learned from that. “It’s very special,” added Buttler. “It’s the best win we’ve ever had – the way we were challenged throughout, Plunkett getting injured, Joe Root sticking his hand up to bowl the overs, and to win the series was fantastic.
“I don’t get ahead of myself, but I’m always looking to improve and to add things to my game.
“I feel like I’ve matured quite a bit in the last few years and I’ve had a lot of experience of those situations which is making me into a better player.”
The vice-captain and captain took the plaudits post-match but pre-celebrations, as England stayed in their SCG dressing room and enjoyed a completely different sensation to the Ashes defeat here a couple of weeks ago. But they weren’t the only heroes.
Chris Woakes was outstanding with bat and ball and a genuine contender for man-of-the-match honours for his 53 not out and 2-57 that closed the game out.
Mark Wood delivered a world-class exhibition of pace bowling to take 2-46, while neither Moeen Ali nor Adil Rashid gave the Aussies the big release they needed to get to their target.
England have insisted they will keep pushing forward with their strongest side for the final two matches as they go in search of a 5-0 whitewash – although Plunkett is set to miss the rest of the series.