Angelo Mathews calls Buttler a nightmare for bowlers
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:17 PM
England’s gamble of promoting Jos Buttler to number three position in the batting line-up paid off as he decimated the Sri Lankan bowlers to score 73 off just 49 balls.The half-century helped England to win the one-off T20 series and remain unbeaten throughout this whole series. England won the Test series by a margin of 2-0 and the ODI series by 3-0.
“I really enjoyed it. I was asked yesterday if I’d like to go for it and was delighted to take the opportunity,” the English wicketkeeper said . “I didn’t massively (change my approach), speaking to a few of the guys they said just play strong shots. It’s a different rhythm, you might face a few more dot balls. But it helped to bat second and seeing how the wicket played.
Commenting on Sri Lanka’s paltry total of 140, the right-handed batsman said that the score was not too small but was under par.
“I wouldn’t say (Sri Lanka) were way short but maybe under par – 160 would have been a decent score on that wicket. Usually, you come here and the outfield is rapid and it is a fantastic wicket but because of the weather it was probably a bit slower than usual.”
Buttler replaced Alex Hales, who is the regular opener, in the game. When English skipper Eoin Morgan was asked whether Buttler is threatening Hales’s place in the team, he came up with a cheeky reply.
“Alex is sitting on a beach in Ibiza at the moment so I’m not sure he cares,” joked Morgan. “It’s great to have Jos in the side, he’s absolutely world class and his attitude to say ‘I’ll take it on at the top of the order’ sums him up, he’s a team player.
“It’s certainly something we’d consider again. Trying to get the best out of this guy, you don’t know what his limits are, because he’s that good. His potential is as good as anybody’s around the world really.”
Morgan’s Sri Lankan counterpart Angelo Mathews heaped praise on Buttler.
“Either batting, bowling or fielding has let us down in every single game on this tour,” he started. “Buttler has been getting runs against us every single time and it is worrying. No matter what number he bats he’s a very good player. He’s a 360-degree player, and he’s a nightmare for the bowlers.”