(Cricket news) Jos Buttler has become the first England batter to score more than 500 runs in T20 matches in a calendar year. Buttler reached the milestone in the match against Sri Lanka where he scored an unbeaten century in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. Buttler also reached the 2000 run mark in his T20 career becoming the 2nd batter from the side after Eoin Morgan to achieve the mark.
Buttler has also become the first player from England to score centuries in all the three formats of the game and now holds the record for most balls faced by a batsman in an ICC T20 World Cup match. The opener faced 67 balls in the match against Sri Lanka breaking the record of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels who faced 66 balls against England in 2016 and India in 2010.
Buttler has played 86 T20 matches while scoring 2085 runs with an average of 34.75. He has scored one century and 15 half centuries for the side. Buttler is currently the leading run scorer in the ongoing T20 World Cup, he has scored 214 runs in 4 matches and has held his bat till the end of innings in three matches. Buttler is also currently the leader in most fours and sixes, he has smashed 12 sixes while being the joint leader in fours with 15 along with Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga.
The 31 year old right hander has been a prolific scorer for the team since making his debut in 2011 in a T20 match against India. His previous best in a season was 366 runs in 2016 in ten matches but this season he has been at the top player for England in the shortest format as he has scored 534 runs in 12 matches. He is the second highest run getter in T20 for England after Morgan who has played the most matches for the side. Buttler is also one of the calmest players on the side along with Morgan and it comes to good use especially at crucial stages.
Buttler has a mild back swing before hitting the ball, he also uses his feet against spin and pace. He can clear the boundary ropes and has been one of the most attacking openers for the side in the game. He is also a terrific keeper and became the 6th wicket keeper to score a century in T20 matches. His form is invaluable for the team as it proceeds to the final stages of the World Cup, the team has not suffered a loss yet in four matches. Buttler will look to continue giving the side runs from the top and also not let the ball slip behind the stumps.
