BUTTLER: WE WERE ALL BLOWN AWAY
JONNY BAIRSTOW and Ben Stokes unleashed cricket’s equivalent of shock and awe on India on Friday afternoon – and left the England dressing room speechless. England chased down a huge Indian total with more than six overs remaining, with home skipper Virat Kohli describing their hitting as the most amazing he had ever seen.
Stand-in England skipper Jos Buttler was equally spellbound as the pair put on 175 in just under 20 overs, including one five-over period that disappeared for 89 runs.
Stokes, meanwhile, went from 50 to 99 in just 11 balls in Pune.
That win sets up a series decider there today with Buttler once again leading a side on the sniff for a famous triumph after defeats in both the Test and T20 series.
“It was an amazing show,” he said. “We were all sat there in awe of what they’re doing, enjoying what they’re doing but at the same time expecting them to do it.
“It was a lot of fun.we were just blown away and really enjoyed watching them.
“That time was the time to really accelerate and win the game in that period.
“The two guys did that brilliantly.”
And having put on 110 with
Jason Roy before Stokes’ entrance, Bairstow’s role was doubly impressive.
His century was his 11th in ODI cricket and Buttler added: “He’s an unbelievable player and whether he’s getting the credit he deserves, I’m not sure.
“We are all aware of how well he’s playing and how brilliant he has been for us.
“He’s our leading player really and it has just been brilliant to watch – the consistency he shows to play in the fashion he does is what makes it so impressive.
“He’s just very intimidating to bowl at.
“Those two (Bairstow and
Roy) have been fantastic, the way they play, the pressure they put on an opposition.
“People talk about the numbers a lot of the time but, for us, it’s more about the fashion they play.
“The numbers will always look after themselves – we commit to a fashion that we want to play.”
BAIR THRILLS: Jonny Bairstow and (inset) Ben Stokes on the attack on Friday