The first innings of the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup started was a statistical highlight: England, put in to bat by New Zealand, scored 282-9 from their 50 overs. For the first time in the history of ODI cricket, all eleven batters scored 10 or more runs in an innings.

This is the FIRST ever ODI where all players of a team reached double digits.#ENGvNZ #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/eH57SCof5x

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 5, 2023

Joe Root top-scored, anchoring the innings with a patient 77 off 86 balls. The next-highest scorer for England was their captain Jos Buttler. Buttler came into bat at No.6, having promoted Moeen Ali to No.5 to counter New Zealand’s left-arm spinners.

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Along with Root, Buttler stitched  70-run fifth-wicket partnership at almost a run-a-ball, taking England to 188-5 before he was dismissed for 43 off 42 balls including two fours and two sixes.

Off the two sixes, one was a straight hit off James Neesham in the 29th over of the innings. A full, slot delivery on the stumps was smashed nonchalantly over the bowler’s head by Buttler for six. Even Sachin Tendulkar, who was in the commentary box at the time, was impressed.

“That’s a fabulous shot. Went through with the swing. It wasn’t a wild swing. It was only after he had picked the length,” said Tendulkar.

England’s batting depth paid dividends for them in the end as their last four wickets combined to add 94 runs, taking them past 280 and setting up a competitive target for New Zealand.

Watch Jos Buttler smash James Neesham for a six down the ground that had Sachin Tendulkar impressed:

 

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