Buttler leads way to T20 series win over Australia
CRICKET
JOS BUTTLER admitted he had missed playing Twenty20 cricket and revealed the recent success of his England teammates helped drive him on in the second international with Australia. The wicketkeeper 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.
It was Buttler’s highest international score in the sprint format and backed up an impressive summer where he hit 152 against Pakistan in addition to two half-centuries after calls for him to be dropped.
While the 29-year-old bats down the order in red-ball cricket, his favoured position in T20 is at the top but there was some debate about whether he would open following Tom Banton’s exploits last month.
Morgan kept faith with England’s gloveman and he has been vindicated with scores of 44 and now an unbeaten 77 during the 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 determination 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 10, Australia were on the ropes.
Aaron Finch, who top-scored with 40, staged 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.
Dawid Malan was unable to make another fifty, but added 42 in quick time and put on 87 for the second wicket with Buttler.
Ashton Agar made the breakthrough on his way to figures of two for 27 and when both Banton and Morgan went in quick succession, it felt like a case of deja vu given Australia had collapsed on Friday. Moeen Ali made sure that was not to happen with 13 off six balls and Buttler finished with a huge maximum to seal victory by six wickets.