Jos Buttler blasted 131 from just 64 balls as England piled up 257 for three against India in Saturday’s fifth T20I at Southampton, leaving Harry Brook’s side within touching distance of a 4-0 series scoreline and the world No.1 ranking.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Buttler struck 12 fours and eight sixes after Shreyas Iyer’s India chose to field at the Utilita Bowl. Captain Harry Brook provided the support act, finishing unbeaten on 95 from 45 balls as the pair powered England past 250.
The innings capped a dominant white-ball fortnight for England, who sealed the series with a nine-wicket demolition of India in Bristol with a game to spare.
Harry Brook’s England Close In On World No.1 T20I Ranking
Sky Sports reports that victory in Southampton would lift England above India to the top of the ICC men’s T20I rankings, despite the tourists having won the last two men’s T20 World Cups. England went into the finale having won 19 of their last 22 completed T20s under Brook and head coach Brendon McCullum.
India’s task grew harder early in the chase, with Jofra Archer removing opener Abhishek Sharma for just three, according to Outlook India. The tourists need 258 to avoid a whitewash in the completed matches, after the series opener in Durham was washed out.
England had targeted a 4-0 sweep and India’s No.1 ranking from the moment the teams arrived on the south coast — and Buttler’s blitz has left them one strong bowling display away from both.
