Buttler hails character in the field after his century sets up victory
Jos Buttler revealed he took more satisfaction in an important run-out in England’s T20 World Cup victory over Sri Lanka than he did in registering his maiden international century in the format.
England were asked to defend a total for the first time in the tournament following three commanding wins chasing, and were indebted to an incredible 101 not out in 67 balls from Buttler in a total of 163 for four at Sharjah.
Sri Lanka stumbled to 76 for five in response, although England struggled amid heavy evening dew creating moisture on the pitch and the outwhat field, while they lost Tymal Mills to injury, necessitating a shuffle of their bowlers.
But Buttler threw down the stumps of Dasun Shanaka with a precision piece of fielding after Jason Roy and Sam Billings had combined on the boundary to dismiss Wanindu Hasaranga to snuff out Sri Lanka’s hopes of victory.
They eventually subsided to 137 all out after 19 overs on a memorable evening for Buttler, who became the first English male to record centuries in all three formats as his side allbut secured a semi-final spot.
“It’s something I’ll look back on at some point,” Buttler said. “I think there will be a few more guys who achieve that feat as well. But just looking at what it means for the team and for us in the competition, it means way more.
“I think the run-out at the time was the best feeling on the field. We showed great character in the field, the conditions were tough, losing a bowler, guys stepping up, there was some great pieces of fielding.
“The level we have set in the field has been great throughout this tournament, we’ve saved a number of runs, we’ve created chances. That shows the selfless attitude of the group. The fielding is one thing you do for the team.
“The three matches before we’ve done what we wanted to do so here to be on the worse end of the conditions and to show the character we did, it will do for us as a side is fantastic.”
England were initially bogged down on a tricky surface, labouring to 43 for three after 10 overs, with Buttler and Eoin Morgan struggling.
Buttler took 38 balls to get to 35 while Morgan was on nine off 20 deliveries at one stage but, in avoiding a collapse, England were well stocked with batters for a late-innings charge, which was kick-started in the 13th over.
Buttler needed only 22 balls to go from his half-century to his hundred, which he reached from the final ball of the innings after depositing Dushmantha Chameera’s low full toss for a leg-side six.
“I was just trying to remain calm and hope that he missed his yorker,” Buttler said. “I was a bit unsure where he was going to bowl but I’d been at the wicket for a long time.
“Itwasafantasticfeelingtoget that ball away for six and get to a hundred. Hopefully there are stillmoregooddaystocomebut I certainly enjoyed this.”
Morgan ended a run of low scores with an important 40 off 36 ballsas England moved on to eight points, which virtually guarantees their passage into the knockout stages.
Buttler added of his captain: “I thought he played fantastically well and showed an immense amount of character.”