On Saturday, Jos Buttler‘s windy innings helped England to claim a close victory against Pakistan in the high-scoring ODI. Later, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has claimed that they have no idea how to restrict Buttler.
In that high-scoring Southampton ODI, English wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler slammed England’s second fastest ODI century. Coming to bat in 36th over of the first innings, Buttler scored an unbeaten 110-run off just 55 balls with 6 fours and 9 sixes.
At first, Buttler completed his half-century in 32 balls, and later he reached his eighth ODI century in 50 balls. It was the second fastest ODI century by an England batsman as the record holder is also Jos Buttler who completed one of his centuries in just 46 balls (against Pakistan at Dubai, DSC on 20th November 2015).
His brilliant innings helped England to manage a whopping first innings total of 373/3 (50 overs). Apart from his century, the openers Jason Roy (87 runs) and Jonny Bairstow (51 runs), and the next batsmen Joe Root (40 runs) and Eoin Morgan (not out 71 runs) all played crucial innings.
Talking about Buttler’s batting, Mickey Arthur claimed that they had no idea how to stop this right-handed batsman.
He said, “I don’t know how you bowl to him. I’ve just asked the bowlers the same thing and they didn’t have an answer either. But I don’t think we’re going to stop him, so we’ve got to try to get him out.”
Jos Buttler was brilliant and the difference in the two teams – Eoin Morgan
During that innings, Morgan and Buttler had an unbroken 162-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
English limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan lauded Buttler for his brilliant batting performance. The skipper feels that Buttler was the difference between the two sides.
Morgan claimed, “He seems to have a gear that not many of us have. I certainly don’t have it, but it’s great to watch. He always seems to time his run really well, regardless of what time he comes in, he always seems to have enough balls to go on and bang a 50-ball hundred. He was brilliant and the difference in the two teams.”
I’m maturing age-wise as well – Jos Buttler
Talking about his present batting form, Buttler has claimed that he is maturing with the time progress.
Buttler quoted, “I’m maturing age-wise as well. I’ve learned a lot about myself and what works for me. I just think I’ve had some great experiences in the last few years, which you can always use [in any given situation].”
In reply, Pakistan also fought very well. Opener Fakhar Zaman‘s (138 runs) impressive century and Babar Azam (51 runs) and Asif Ali’s (51 runs) brilliant half-centuries helped Pakistan to return in that game. However, they finally managed to score 361/7 (50 overs), and they were just 12 runs short from England’s total.