England beat Sri Lanka: Jos Buttler showed great intent during run chase, says Michael Carberry
'Hard-hitting knock deflated Sri Lanka's tiring bowlers'
Wednesday 3 December 2014 20:19, UK
Michael Carberry was impressed by Jos Buttler’s mind-set as the wicketkeeper-batsman powered England to victory in the third ODI with Sri Lanka.
Buttler (55 not out) arrived at the crease with England 152-5, still 84 runs shy of their target of 236, but forged an excellent partnership with Joe Root (48) to see the tourists home and reduce their arrears in the seven-match series to 2-1.
Sri Lanka’s attack wilted as the ran-affected game in Hambantona drew to a climax but Carberry says the home bowlers were made to fade by Buttler’s belligerent 37-ball knock.
“He has really taken to international cricket,” Carberry said of Buttler, who scored England’s fastest ODI century, also against Sri Lanka, at Lord’s in May off a mere 61 balls.
“He and Root weathered the storm when it was slightly in the balance and then he took calculated risks at the end.
“He played with intent and took on the spinners, and while the bowlers fell to pieces it was more about Jos going after them.
“There was a nice blend of power and finesse with Buttler and Root and it was great to see the younger brigade taking things on.
“Hopefully they can push on now.”
Problems
England were not faultless in Wednesday’s match, which was reduced to 35-overs per side following a deluge shortly after play initially started in Hambantona.
Eoin Morgan (one) failed with the bat again; Alex Hales, who replaced Ian Bell at No 3, ran out Moeen Ali when the shot-making opener was well placed on 58; and the recalled Ben Stokes’ two overs went for 28 runs.
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Bob Willis, therefore, thinks the tourists still have room for improvement ahead of the fourth ODI in Colombo on Sunday, though he says Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews may be the most frustrated man after match three.
“Hales will be looking at himself in the mirror after running out Moeen and there are still some problems for the senior citizens,” said Willis.
“I would say it was an 8/10 effort as the seam bowlers are also struggling and Stokes isn’t doing it out in the middle at all.
“As for Sri Lanka, [Dhammika] Prasad, Ajantha Mendis and [Rangana] Herath will look at themselves as the bowling was shocking at the end, but Mathews got it wrong by opting to bat first.
“His spinners could barely grip the ball at the death, what with all the dew.”
Watch the fourth ODI, live on Sky Sports 2 from 4.15am on Sunday morning.
