After dismantling Australia with a destructive match-winning 32-ball 71* on Saturday, Jos Buttler was at it again on Monday, striking his maiden T20I century to lift England to a 26-run win over Sri Lanka.

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After England were put in to bat at Sharjah, Buttler moved to 50 off 45 deliveries, making it the slowest half-century of his T20I career. But the 31-year-old accelerated spectacularly thereafter, reaching his ton with a six off the final ball of the innings to finish unbeaten on 101 off 67 balls.

Buttler is now the leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup and has only been dismissed once in four knocks, leaving him with a tournament average of 214.

There was plenty of praise for Buttler, with his teammate Ben Stokes leading the way.

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle hailed Buttler as an opening batter – the wicketkeeper now averages 60.50 at the top of the order for England in T20Is after 26 innings.

 

 

The century also saw Buttler become the first man to hit a century in all three formats for England. England Women’s captain Heather Knight is the only other person to have achieved the feat, and she welcomed Buttler to the exclusive club.

Others weighed in as well with the tributes.

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Series EditorialJos Buttler