Buttler’s batting is an inspiration – Malan
DAWID Malan may be ranked second in the world Twenty20 batting rankings but even he is in awe when he watches England teammate Jos Buttler in full flow.
Malan’s 14-month stint atop the International Cricket Council standings in the format was ended as he was replaced by Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Wednesday, having averaged just 25.83 in 15 T20 matches this year.
Whereas Malan has had a quiet start to the T20 World Cup, Buttler followed up an unbeaten 71 off 32 balls against Australia with 101 not out off 67 deliveries against Sri Lanka - remarkably his maiden T20 international century.
And while Malan himself is a proven match-winner for England and one of only six batters in history whose T20 international average is north of 40, he admitted he is envious of what Buttler can do at his devastating best.
“Jos when he gets going is an absolute freak,” Malan said. “You don’t know where to bowl to him. You bowl a full length and he hits for six, you bowl short and he hits you for six. He can scoop, he hits you all round the ground.
“You need about 15 fielders when he’s playing as well as he does and some more over the ropes. I sit there watching him and think ‘I wish I could do that’. That’s how well he hits the ball and that’s how good he is.
“It’s an inspiration to all of us to watch him keep getting better and keep improving. I think the one good thing about this England team is that everyone shares the knowledge with each other.
“If there’s anything I want to know, I think he’s happy to share and take it to the nets and teach you some things that work for him, and it’s up to you whether it works for you or not.
“That’s why this England team keeps growing.”
England have suffered a major blow with the news
Tymal Mills will miss the remainder of the T20 World Cup because of a right thigh strain.
Mills limped off the field during England’s Super 12s group match against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, having reached for his upper leg after abruptly pulling up in his delivery stride ahead of the fourth ball of his second over.
He was unable to return as Eoin Morgan’s side moved to the brink of the semi-finals courtesy of a hard-fought 26-run win on Monday evening and a subsequent scan has determined his absence for the rest of the tournament.
Mills tweeted: “Thank you for the messages. Absolutely gutted but I’ve been here before. Loved being back in an England shirt and will do all I can to get back again.
“Only a minor injury but I won’t be where I need to in the next 10 days. Backing the boys all the way.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced Mills’ fellow left-arm fast bowler Reece Topley has been upgraded to a place in the 15-strong squad, having travelled to the United Arab Emirates as one of three reserves.
Meanwhile, India kept their T20 World Cup semifinal hopes alive with a dominant 66-run victory over Afghanistan in their Super 12s clash in Abu Dhabi.
The pressure was on Virat Kohli’s men after losing their first two matches to Pakistan and New Zealand respectively.
But they were never in danger of suffering a third consecutive defeat after racking up 210 for two - the highest score of the tournament so far - after losing the toss with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma both hitting half-centuries.
Mohammed Shami then took three wickets to help limit Afghanistan to 144 for seven.
Earlier, New Zealand beat Scotland by 16 runs. The Kiwis hit 172 for five, with Martin Guptill hitting 93, before the Scots reached 156 for five.