Jos Buttler on Monday became the first England batter to score a century in all three formats and rated his unbeaten 101 at the T20 World Cup as “right up there” in his career.
Buttler’s maiden T20I ton steered England to 163-7 and a 26-run win over Sri Lanka in Sharjah to extend their unbeaten streak to four in the Super 12 stage.
He smashed six fours and six sixes in his 67-ball knock and put on 112 with skipper Eoin Morgan, who made 40, to lift England after they were in trouble at 35-3.
“It’s right up there. Hopefully there are still more good days to come but I certainly enjoyed today,” the wicketkeeper-batter said on his first T20 hundred in 86 internationals.
“To put in a performance in a World Cup, they’re all must-win games in this tournament. I’m delighted to come through the innings, as well.
“At periods I was finding it tricky, so to use all my experience … I stayed patient and trusted that it would come at some point in the innings. Obviously delighted with the win.”
The 31-year-old has two Test hundreds and nine ODI centuries since his international debut in 2011 during a T20 match against India in Manchester.
Buttler insists the records are good to remember but match-winning knocks for the team are what drives him.
“It’s great – probably something that I look back at some point – and it’s a nice accolade to have,” Buttler said on his centuries across formats.
“I think there will be a few more guys [from England] to achieve that feat. Just looking at today and what it means to the team, what it means to the competition. That means way more.”
© Agence France-Presse
