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.

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.

Best in the world @josbuttler 👏 👏

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) November 1, 2021

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.

 

There isn’t a better opening batsman in the world at the moment, in T20 cricket, than Jos Buttler

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2021

 

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.

Seriously unbelievable @josbuttler! Tough pitch, targeted his bowlers and went hot at the end! Welcome to the hundred in all formats club 😉 #ENGvSL

— Heather Knight (@Heatherknight55) November 1, 2021

Others weighed in as well with the tributes.

That’s a seriously good knock by @josbuttler very well played and great to watch.

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 1, 2021

Brilliant 💯 by Jos who was the real boss #josbuttler

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 1, 2021

The first England men’s cricketer with a T20I, ODI, and Test ton.

Of COURSE it’s Joseph Charles Buttler.

A complete, utter, genius.#T20WorldCup

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) November 1, 2021

What makes Jos Buttler’s maiden T20 international century so remarkable is the control and versatility he showed. There was rotation of strike, there was seeing off bowlers and there was some absolutely BRUTAL power hitting. A truly one of a kind cricketer. #ENGvSL #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HaLcFTir3w

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) November 1, 2021

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