Jos Buttler has chalked up his second Test century. With 87 runs already banked on Day 1, Jos went on to score a career best 152 runs, settling all debate about his place in the England Test side.
While Zak Crawley was the star of England’s first innings, Jos’ was his perfect foil. Together they added 359 runs, the all time highest fifth wicket partnership for England.
After Jos’ batting helped to secure victory in the First Test, he again demonstrated that his skills as an international red-ball batter are maturing.
Jos’ innings against the Pakistan bowlers was disciplined and controlled. This was an authentic Test innings, the one-day shots, were, mainly, kept in his locker.
When on 99, there was an heart-stopping moment for Jos. The Pakistan team appealed for caught behind and the umpire raised his finger. On review it was clear the ball passed the bat without taking an edge – the decision was reversed.
One ball later Jos reached his deserved 100 off 189 balls.
Jos continued to accumulate his runs, this was going to be a “big 100.” He soon bettered his previous highest Test score of 106, before passing the 2500 Test and 5500 first-class runs milestones.
As England stacked up the runs Jos reached 150 runs. A just reward for a Test innings of real quality.
Two runs later Jos’ 311 ball innings came to an end, when he was caught and bowled by Fawad Alam.
Agnew’s View
Jonathan Agnew, writing on the BBC website, said that Jos’ innings “was so out of character, a man determined to get to 150. He dinked a couple of sixes on day one, but on day two he played a controlled Test innings, as if to show us that is what he can do.
(PhoenixMedia Image Created from a Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)