West Indies v England 2023/24

Watch: Jos Buttler smashes glorious straight six to bring up return-to-form half-century

by Wisden Staff December 7, 2023 - 9:02am 1 minute read

Watch: Jos Buttler reached his first ODI fifty in 14 innings with a glorious hit down the ground during England’s win over the West Indies in the second ODI at Antigua on December 6.

England’s poor showing in the 2023 World Cup led to question marks over skipper Buttler’s future in the role. The pressure was elevated due to Buttler’s performance with the bat as well. He scored 138 runs in nine innings at an average of 15.33 with a high score of 43 and followed it up with a 13-ball 3 in the first West Indies ODI. It was his 13th innings without a half-century.

Buttler returned to form with 58* against the West Indies, scoring his runs in 45 balls at a strike rate of 128.88. Chasing 203, England were reduced to 116-4 with Buttler walking out at No.6. He started cautiously, scoring 19 in 25 balls before hitting successive sixes off Yannic Cariah.

He needed 15 more deliveries to reach his 26th ODI fifty, getting to the landmark with a straight six off Oshane Thomas. He also reached 5,000 ODI runs in the innings, becoming only the fifth England player to reach the milestone in the format.

England won by six wickets, drawing level in the three-match ODI series.