England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler continued his red-hot form in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 against Sri Lanka, as he cracked a stunning century on Monday (November 1) in Sharjah.
In doing so, he became the only second Englishman after Alex Hales to hit a century in T20 World Cup match.
He also became the only Englishman and the 16th player overall to hit centuries in all three formats of the game as he completed his ton off just 67 balls including 6 fours and as many sixes in Sharjah.
Butter smashed an unbeaten knock of 101 off 67 balls to help England post 163/4 which they successfully defended by restricting Sri Lanka to 137 to win the game by 26 runs to continue their winning streak in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE.
Buttler said of his maiden T20I hundred: “Right up there. Hopefully, still more good days to come but I certainly enjoyed today. To put in a performance in a World Cup, they're all must-win games in this tournament. Delighted to, I think, come through the innings, as well.”
He added, “At periods I was finding it tricky, so to use all my experience and stayed patient, trusted that it would come at some point in the innings. Obviously, I’m delighted with the win.”
The 31-year-old was elated to have the record of hitting centuries in all three formats of the game but insisted that the match-winning knocks for the team make him happier.
Buttler said, “It's great. Probably something that I look back at some point and it's a nice accolade to have. I think there will be a few more guys (from England) to achieve that feat. Just looking at today and what it means to the team, what it means to the competition. That means way more.”
On the dew factor which is playing a big role, especially in the second innings, in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, the Englishman noted: “It's hard to guess if the dew is going to come in or not. Obviously tonight it did, and I think it certainly changed conditions.”
Tymal Mills pulled out of the England bowling attack midway from his second over against Sri Lanka with a likely hamstring or calf strain. However, Buttler was happy with the England bowlers’ performance in Sharjah with Moeen Ali, Adli Rashid, and Chris Jordan each snaring 2 wickets against Sri Lanka.
He concluded, “I think it was a great win for us as a team. In the three matches before we've won the toss and done what we wanted to do. Today to be probably on the worse end of the conditions, to show the character we did as a side. One of our bowlers getting injured, guys having to step up and bowl some overs at tough times. I think the character in the group and what that will do for us as a side is fantastic.”
(With AFP Inputs)
