Stunning Buttler takes England to safety

Rex Clementine in Sharjah

A stunning hundred by Jos Buttler rescued England from trouble as they posted a commanding 163 for four in their Super 12 fixture against Sri Lanka here at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

England were in all sorts of trouble after being reduced to 35 for three but Buttler was superb building up the innings and left it late to punish Sri Lanka’s bowlers in the death overs to post his maiden hindered in T-20 Internationals.

England’s wicketkeeper who has been in good nick in the tournament was on 95 facing the last delivery of the innings and dispatched Dushmatha Chameera for a six to bring up his century. His unbeaten hundred came off 67 balls and included six fours and six sixes.

Buttler’s rescue act ensured that the gloss was taken off the good work done by Sri Lanka’s bowlers earlier on in the innings. He was involved in a 112 run stand for the fourth wicket that came off 72 balls.

Morgan finished on 40 off 36 balls after a slow start gaining some form before the business end of the competition begins. .

Lahiru Kumara was all brawn and no brains as he was the most expensive bowler conceding 44 runs in his four overs without a wicket. He lost the plot not bowling to his field and with that England found a way to fight their way back.

Then they did not spare even Dushmantha Chameera, whose four overs went for 43 runs.

Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers claiming three wickets for 21 runs.

Hasaranga usually comes into the attack after the Power Plays but yesterday shared the new ball with Chameera and cleaned up Jason Roy in his first over.

In his second over, he dismissed Jonny Bairstow for a golden duck after Sri Lanka successfully reviewed and overturned a decision.

In his last over, he accounted for captain Morgan but by then the damage had been done and the general feeling was that skipper Dasun Shanaka should have attacked with Hasaranga early in Morgan’s innings.