The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
In-form Buttler to open in T20
Cricket: ODI man-of-the-series moved up order for Edgbaston Twenty20 opener
Jos Buttler will open for England as they seek to add victory over Australia in the one-off Twenty20 clash at Edgbaston to their one-day international series whitewash.
Buttler, man-of-the-series after his brilliant unbeaten century in Sunday’s one-wicket win at Old Trafford, has opened for England just once before in T20s, when he made 73 not out against Sri Lanka in Southampton two years ago.
He has been a revelation at the top of the order this year with a string of halfcenturies for his Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals.
Asked if a plan was in place to move Buttler back up the order today, England’s acting head coach Paul Farbrace said: “Definitely, yes there is. He will open tomorrow.”
Farbrace, in charge here and for the three-match Twenty20 series against India while Trevor Bayliss takes a short break, explained England want in-form Buttler to bat for as long as he can.
“In 120 balls in an innings, you want to get your best strikers facing as many balls as possible,” he said.
“The form he’s in, the way he’s playing, it makes sense to get him at the top of the order.”
Buttler has understandably earned rave reviews.
Farbrace added: “He’s using the experience he’s gained to make himself more consistent, whatever colour the ball, whatever form of the game.
“On Sunday, I thought that was as good an innings as I’ve seen him play for England – probably on a par with the hundred he got in Dubai against Pakistan.
“One was exciting shots and just pure skill, and the other day he showed how much he’s learned, how much calmer he is at the crease.”
Australia captain Aaron Finch is confident there will be no hangover from the one-day international series whitewash defeat against England.
Finch acknowledges collective confidence was dented by the hammering but said: “We had a debrief and ... we’ve put a bit of that stuff to bed.
“As a T20 team not a lot needs to be said – we have new faces to bring fresh energy, guys that have no baggage.
“It’s a great opportunity to get out there and strut our stuff in a format we have had success in.”