BUTTLER’S BLADE WINS AN EPIC DUEL WITH KOHLI

THERE aren’t many who can upstage an in-form Virat Kohli, but in a game that turned into a duel between two of the greatest white-ball batsmen of all time, it was the blade of Jos Buttler that flashed more brightly. An eight-wicket victory for England, who now lead this five-match series 2-1, continued a trend: win the toss, bowl first, then chase when the dew helps the ball skid on and makes runs easier to come by. If that made Kohli’s 77 not out from 46 balls all the more impressive, it should not detract from the skill Buttler showed during a career-best unbeaten 83 from 50 that eased England over the line with 10 to spare. And it really ought to end the discussion over his position in the Twenty20 line-up — though that debate is starting to feel more like a broadcasting ploy to fill air time than serious material for the Oxford Union. ‘I don’t know if this will ever end it, but people seem to quite enjoy talking about it,’ he said. ‘I feel the pressure every time I do have the opportunity to make a case, because there are loads of guys who can open the batting for this team. But I know I’ve got the full backing of Morgs (captain Eoin Morgan) to open, and it’s my preference in T20 cricket.’ The warmth between the two men was evident before the start of play, when Buttler made a speech to the team huddle and handed over a special cap to commemorate his captain’s 100th T20 appearance. The notoriously ice-cool Morgan admitted he was moved to the brink of tears. And that was before Buttler started batting. He has now made seven half-centuries in his 17 innings as a T20 opener, with an average of 51 and a strike rate of 153. Elsewhere in the order, his record is four fifties in 52 innings, with an average of 23 and a strike-rate of 133.

All batsmen prefer the wide-open spaces offered by the early fielding restrictions. But few are as adept at finding them. Unperturbed by the early loss off Jason Roy as England set off in pursuit of 157, Buttler finished the six-over powerplay with 43 from 17 balls, including three sixes. It meant he could take his foot off the pedal and instead allow Jonny Bairstow to move through the gears. In racing to 40 from 28 balls, Bairstow became the fifth England player to reach 1,000 T20 international runs, behind Morgan, Buttler himself, Alex Hales and Kevin Pietersen. If and when Hales is welcomed back from exile, England will have untold top-order riches.