England hero Jos Buttler took inspiration from MS Dhoni during match-winning innings against Australia

Sudhir Gupta 20:44 25/06/2018
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  • Buttler struck a magnificent unbeaten 110 to lead England to a win.

    Jos Buttler was the toast of all England after his superb unbeaten ton (110) rescued the hosts form a perilous position before leading them to an improbable win against Australia in the fifth and final ODI at Manchester.

    The Aussies had been bowled out for just 205 runs after skipper Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first at Old Trafford. In reply, England looked to be down and out after being reduced to 114-8.

    However, Buttler forged a crucial 81-run for the ninth wicket with Adil Rashid to take England on the verge of a sensational victory. Following the dismissal of Rashid, Buttler found another ably ally in last-man Jake Ball before he hit the winning runs in the penultimate over the match to lead England to their first-ever ODI series whitewash over Australia.

    Post the incredible win, Buttler revealed how he had been trying to channel MS Dhoni’s calmness at the crease in the face of unending pressure during the final stages of the match.

    “Yeah I think I probably was (nervous). When you are out there, you can at least do something about it. It’s probably harder sitting on the balcony. I just tried to soak up the pressure and tried to imagine what MS Dhoni would do. He would look unflustered and look calm and try to not panic till the end,” the Englishman said during the post-match presentation in a video shared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

    The right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has been in outstanding form with the bat ever since he was promoted to open the batting for Rajasthan Royals in the recent IPL. A record-equaling five half-centuries on the bounce saw the batsman given an England Test recall in the series against Pakistan after more than two years out.

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