Buttler to open the batting in England’s one-off Twenty20 clash with Australia
Buttler has produced a succession of star performances in each format this year.
Jos Buttler’s rich vein of form has led to a promotion in England’s batting order ahead of the one-off Twenty20 international against Australia on Wednesday.
Buttler has produced a succession of star performances in each format this year, including in the Indian Premier League, where he equalled a tournament record five successive half-centuries after being moved to the top of the order.
That has perhaps helped to convince England to move him up from the middle order, where he has batted for all but one of his 53 international innings in the sprint format, to an opening role at Edgbaston.
“He will open tomorrow,” said Paul Farbrace, standing in for head coach Trevor Bayliss for this clash and the three T20s against India that follow.
Buttler’s only previous outing as England T20 opener saw him register his highest international score of 73 not out against Sri Lanka at the Ageas Bowl two years ago.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has enjoyed a stellar 2018 and his nerveless century on Sunday propelled England to a first ever whitewash over Australia in the one-day international series.
“You want to get your best strikers facing as many balls as possible,” added Farbrace.
“The form he’s in, the way he’s playing, it makes sense to get him at the top of the order.”
