Southampton – Jos Buttler’s 100 in 50 balls was a cruel onslaught on the Pakistan bowlers at The Ageas Bowl today (11 May). Pakistan had no answer to his unbeaten innings of 110 in a 162 4th wicket partnership with Eoin Morgan (71no).
Jos joined the England captain with the score on 211-3. His innings did not move off in first and then shift through the batting gears. Instead, Jos shot-off in fifth with the accelerator rammed flat to the floor.
This innings was a masterclass in the brutal art of twenty-first century batting.
Jos used a palette of inventive power shots, innovative placement and quick-fire running between the wickets to create a masterpiece of batting awe.
His 50 came in 32 balls. In the next 18 balls bowled to him, Jos claimed his century.
His 100 in 50 balls included 9 sixes – with Jos clouting the ball to all parts of the crowd. It was the second-fastest ODI 100 by an England batter. It is only bettered by a 46-ball century scored by Jos himself vs. Pakistan in 2015.
Together Jos and Morgan took England to 373-3. Surely, this was a total beyond Pakistan?
The Pakistan batters accepted the challenge with Fakhar Zaman scoring 138. Nevertheless, at the death, the England bowlers, had the skill and guile to restrict the visitors to 361-7. Giving England victory by 12 runs.
It was no surprise that Jos was named “Man of the Match.”
Today’s innings by Jos gave notice. The one player supporters will want to see, and other teams fear, is an on song Jos Buttler batting for England in the World Cup.