Buttler leads England to series win over Australia
Jos Buttler admitted he had missed playing Twenty 20 cricket and revealed the recent success of his England teammates helped drive him on in the second international with Australia.
The wicketkeep er carried his bat to score 77 not out and secure a 2-0 series victory for Eoin Morgan’s side after they successfully chased down 158 at the Ageas Bowl to win by six wickets.
It was Buttler’s highest international score in the sprint format and backed up an impressive summer of Test cricket where he hit 152 against Pakistan in addition to a couple of half- centuries after calls for him to be dropped. There was some debate about whether he would open the batting following Tom Banton’s exploits last month. But Morgan kept faith with England’s gloveman and he has been vindicated with scores of 44 and now an unbeaten 77 during this series with Australia.
Buttler said: “It is amazing how it can turn around isn’t it if you hang in there long enough?
“I have really missed playing T20 cricket and I was looking forward to this series because it has been a long time since I played white-ball cricket. It is something I really enjoy playing, I love the format and I am feeling in good touch.
“When you play against Australia it gives you a lot of determi nation to play well and I think the competition for places in the side has really been driving me as well.” Jofra Archer set the tempo for the day when he hit speeds of over 90mph early on and David Warner lasted three balls before he gloved to Buttler. Mark Wood operated in tandem with his fellow fast bowler and sent Alex Carey back for two and when Morgan brilliantly ran out Steve Smith for ten, Australia were on the ropes.
Aaron Finch, who top-scored with 40, st aged a recovery alongside Marcus Stoinis, but Chris Jordan picked up two wickets while Adil Rashid finished with one for 25 to restrict the opposition to 157 for seven.