England in West Indies: Jos Buttler smashes brilliant 83 as tourists win second T20
After a hugely successful debut for England, the decision to drop Buttler to No. 3 raised a few eyebrows.
But considering he was facing the second ball of the innings a day after Salt’s century in the first T20, he cut Akeal Hosein to cover the first Ball, the England captain may have started too.
After getting his own golden duck on Saturday, Buttler started cautiously and Jacks opened the innings as England upped the tempo in the latter stages of the powerplay.
From the moment he bowled Sheppard in the sixth over, with two boundaries on both sides, Buttler led the charge.
The 34-year-old chose his moments to attack, but he did so with conviction.
He knocked Gudakesh Motie to the stadium roof and Chase into the stands to score a 32-ball 50.
When he bowled Chase in consecutive overs, England’s victory seemed certain, as did Buttler’s hundred.
However, he slipped a slower ball off Shepherd in the next over and was denied the second T20 international ton.
Livingstone came on and scored an unbeaten 23 off 11 balls, completing the task quickly for England.
Ditching the keeper’s gloves and switching to batting at No. 3 were big decisions Buttler made ahead of this series, and it remains to be seen whether they are the right decisions in the long run.
But with two wins out of two and a now-trademark swashbuckling draw, the early signs are certainly positive.
