Jos Buttler says playing T20 franchise cricket 'massively important' to his development
Sunday 12 May 2019 11:10, UK
Jos Buttler says playing in Twenty20 franchise leagues around the world has helped him develop his game after he smashed a stunning 110 not out in England's win over Pakistan.
The England wicket-keeper batsman came in with 15 overs to go and proceeded to smash six fours and nine sixes, reaching his century from 50 balls, the second quickest hundred ever by an England player in an ODI.
Despite a spirited chase from Pakistan, led by Fakhar Zaman, England held on for a thrilling 12-run win and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
"They pushed us all the way and were favourites for quiet a lot of the run-chase with Fakhar Zaman playing so well," Buttler told Sky Sports.
"We needed him out and we probably needed a few more wickets as well to get there. Credit to the guys, especially David Willey, I thought he bowled some great death bowling and that's a great game of cricket."
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Buttler's pyrotechnics late in the England proved decisive and as he and Eoin Morgan (71no from 48 balls) shared an unbroken stand of 162 for the fourth wicket.
"It was a lot of fun," he said. "We came here and played on a great wicket, the guys set a fantastic platform and we bat so deep that it allows us to be really aggressive pretty early on and extend that period of death overs if you like. It's always enjoyable when you can manage to play that way."
Buttler's last appearance before today was for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and he admitted that the lessons he has learned playing in T20 franchises leagues have been invaluable.
"[They are] massively important," he added. "I think in the past, I've had some fantastic experience from being in those franchise environments, I've met some great people, I've watched a lot of people.
"You watch your own team practice and you play with guys who you've played against a lot, you watch them practice and then you pick up other stuff. Age-wise, maturing, I've learnt a lot about myself and what works for me.
"I've had some great experiences in the past few years which I'm using, it might not be today, it might be in three game's time and there is something that someone has said and you think 'that might work today'.
"Obviously, I've just had three weeks and I've always enjoyed time away from the game as well, especially coming into a summer like this.
"Then getting itchy feet after two weeks away, watching the guys play and I'm delighted to be back in the dressing room, that's where you want to be, with the lads and getting out on the park."
Watch the third ODI between England and Pakistan, at Bristol, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 12.30pm on Tuesday.
