5th T20I: Buttler-Brook carnage helps England post 257/3 in 20 overs against India at Southampton
Southampton, July 11
England's Jos Buttler and Harry Brook delivered a stunning batting display to post a daunting total of 257/3 in 20 overs against India in the fifth and final T20I of the series, at the The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.
India, who opted to bowl after winning the toss on a batting-friendly surface, got an early breakthrough when Prasidh Krishna dismissed Phil Salt for 6 in the second over. However, that remained the only moment of success for the visitors as England's batters took complete control of the innings.
Skipper Harry Brook, coming at No. 3, attacked from the outset and joined forces with Buttler to rebuild England's innings. The pair negated India's bowling attack with aggressive stroke play, taking the hosts to 62/1 at the end of the Powerplay.
Once the field restrictions eased, Buttler and Brook accelerated further, targeting India's bowlers with a relentless boundary-hitting display. The duo took on the spin combination of Axar Patel and Suryansh Shedge, finding gaps with ease and clearing the ropes regularly.
England brought up their 100 in the 10th over, which saw Axar being clubbed for 25 runs in an over by the Buttler-Brook duo. The duo also brought up the 100-run stand in the same over as the Three Lions stood at 111/1 after 10 overs.
England crossed the 140-run mark in the 13th over. Brook unleashed his onslaught on Shedge as he smashed the Indian bowler for 24 runs in the 14th over. Buttler then got in the act and attacked pacer Prince Yadav, slamming 21 runs in the 15th over.
Buttler brought up his ton in 51 balls with a six off Axar Patel in the 16th over, which also yielded 20 runs as England stood at 209 in 16 overs.
Shivam Dube provided India with back-to-back breakthroughs in the 19th over as he dismissed Buttler and Jacob Bethel on consecutive deliveries. However, it had been too late for the visitors as England reached 247/3 in 19 overs.
Buttler led the charge with a sensational 131 off 64 balls, smashing 12 fours and eight sixes. Brook provided equally explosive support, remaining unbeaten on 95 off just 35 balls with eight sixes and four boundaries to his name. England finished their quota of 20 overs with the score of 257/3 as they look set to clinch the five-match series 4-0. India headed into the contest after disappointing performances in the previous three completed matches of the five-match series. With the opening game ending in a no result, they trail the series 3-0 and are playing for pride in the Southampton T20I.
Indian bowlers had a tough outing in Southampton as Arshdeep Singh (0/33 in 4 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (1/38 in 4 overs) were the only bowlers who managed to go under 10 runs per over.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Brook played like a video game character on steroids! 95 off 35 balls? That's ridiculous hitting. But our bowling unit needs to take a long hard look at themselves - conceding 25 in one over is just not acceptable at international level. Prasidh was okay but the spinners were taken to the cleaners. Frustrating series this has been.
As a cricket fan, you have to appreciate that Buttler innings - 131 off 64 balls with 12 fours and 8 sixes is just phenomenal batting. But as an Indian supporter, it hurts to see our bowlers getting smashed like this match after match. We need to blood some young fast bowlers with pace and variations. Same old story - batting wins us matches, bowling loses them.
Honestly, what were our bowlers thinking? Bowling short and wide to Buttler and Brook on a flat deck? 🤦 That's just asking for trouble. And Shedge got smashed for 24 in an over - he's not international quality yet. Our fielding was ordinary too. This series has exposed how far behind we are in T20 cricket despite the IPL. Time for some tough decisions, yaar.
England batted brilliantly, no doubt. But our bowling attack looked like traffic cones out there! Arshdeep was the only one who went under 10 rpo - that's saying something. We need to stop relying on the same old faces and give chances to some raw pace like Umran Malik. Also, why is Shedge playing ahead of experienced bowlers? Selection head-scratcher...
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