OVER AND OUT
Buttler still proud after going down with whimper
JOS BUTTLER insisted England’s ODI series whitewash by Australia does not take the gloss off a triumphant tour Down Under.
Just nine days after their T20 World Cup win over Pakistan at the same venue, a record low crowd for a match between England and Australia of just 10,406 saw Buttler’s men go out with a whimper.
Continuing the record theme, the hosts sealed a 3-0 victory by posting the highest-ever total at the MCG with 355-5.
They also won by a record margin of 221 runs as England were skittled out for 142.
“We tried our best but we fell a long way short – Australia played really well,” said Buttler.
“There’s lots to be proud of. You don’t need long memories to remember the scenes here last week when we won the World Cup.”
The hangover from that night has weighed heavy on this series, despite England utilising their bench and resting T20 stars.
And while the scheduling of a series that the players clearly did not want was questionable, this was still an embarrassing effort. If the game was up when they went 2-0 down in Sydney on Saturday, it was rubber-stamped here when Australia openers Travis Head and David Warner ran riot against some poor bowling.
Their 269-run stand was yet another record for the venue, eclipsing the previous best of 225 by Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist against England in 2002.
Set an adjusted Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target of 364 after rain reduced the match to 48 overs per side, the tourists capitulated in 31.4 overs. There were few bright spots and even the players that shone did so against a dark backdrop.
Olly Stone, above, who finished with 4-85 from 10 overs, was a case in point even if he deserves credit for honesty.
“I didn’t start great, a few pies in there which wasn’t ideal and didn’t set the tone,” said the paceman.
“When you are off at this level you get punished and it makes you learn quickly.
“I thought it was nice the way I came back and I enjoy bowling in those high-pressure situations at the end.
“It was nice to pick up four wickets and claw it back.”
Stone admitted it would be “wonderful” to be selected for England’s defence of their 50-over World Cup title in India next year.
But the 29-year-old was realistic after making only his second ODI appearance in four years.
“It’s a big learning curve,” said Stone.
“It’s frustrating because I want to do as well as I can.”
Meanwhile, former England star Luke Wright, 37, has been added to the panel of national selectors.