Sharjah: Following England’s win over Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 clash at Sharjah, skipper Eoin Morgan hailed opener Jos Buttler, saying his unbeaten century as one of his ‘best’ international innings and it’s a privilege to have him in the side.
Jos Buttler put on a batting masterclass 101 not out as he guided England to a 26-run win over Sri Lanka in a Group 1 fixture of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Sharjah. Buttler scored an unbeaten 101 off just 67 balls as England registered their fourth consecutive win of the ongoing tournament.
Lauding Buttler smashed his maiden century and said that Buttler had played one of his best-ever innings. “I thought Jos Buttler played one of his best-ever innings in an England shirt. We’re just delighted with the win. Sri Lanka has pushed us further than we’ve been pushed so far in this tournament,” he said at the post-match press conference.
Buttler is the only England player to score centuries in international cricket in all three formats. He also became the second Englishman to score a century in T20 World Cups after Alex Hales’ 116 not out, also against Sri Lanka, in 2014.
“He is one of the best in the game – it’s a privilege to play with him and great to have him in our team. he has an unbelievable skill level and the calm nature in which he goes about it – he combines the two with reading the game and knowing when to score,” he added.
Put in to bat, England’s batting looked under pressure for the first time in the tournament on Tuesday but Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 101 off 67 balls fired them to a strong 163/4 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka threatened to pull off an upset at one stage before being bowled out for 137 all out in 19 overs to go down despite Wanindu Hasaranga’s all-round brilliance
The England skipper also praised the team’s all-rounding fielding effort. “All-round fielding effort was good. We are delighted with the four wins. Combination of unbelievable skill level and the calm nature in which he goes about it – he combines them along with reading the game. To see him in this form in the group stages bodes well for the latter stages,” said Morgan.
Morgan himself scored 40 off 36 balls which would be nothing short of a breather for the Irish-born English captain. The cricketer has struggled for runs so far, be it T20 World Cup, or be it IPL. “You always got to believe, I always do. Today was a tougher test. We were enjoying ourselves. Just to get a partnership going and put something on the board to defend,” he concluded.
