Cricket
England beat New Zealand by 20 runs to boost chances of qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-finals – watch England’s final game of the Super 12s, against Sri Lanka, live on Sky Sports Cricket on Saturday (build-up from 7.30am ahead of an 8am start)
By Amar Mehta
Wednesday 2 November 2022 06:30, UK
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nick Compton and Eoin Morgan said Jos Buttler had “one of his best games” as captain as England beat New Zealand in a crucial T20 World Cup group contest.
Buttler scored a match-winning 73 from 47 balls after he was dropped twice and then took an excellent catch down the leg side for England’s first wicket off the bowling of Chris Woakes.
But it was his captaincy that stood out in the 20-run victory over the Black Caps which leaves their hopes of reaching the semi-finals in their own hands.
Buttler elected to bat after winning the toss while he then utilised spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid in the powerplay, with Moeen bowling the first over of the New Zealand innings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Former England skipper Morgan said: “It was one of [Buttler’s] best games as captain. In his 100th T20 international he really has stepped up. His batting would have had a huge impact to start with and that rubbed off in the field.
“His captaincy tonight was brilliant. Every opportunity he had to impact the game, he tried to take a wicket. He brings Mark Wood back into the game, starts with spin, rotates five bowlers for the first six overs.
“That doesn’t really happen. He is using all his experience and he is flying high. I thought he controlled his emotions really well and made brilliant decisions.”
T20 World Cup – Group 1 table
T20 World Cup – Group 2 table
T20 World Cup on Sky – TV listings
Get Sky Sports
Sky Sports Cricket’s Nasser Hussain added of Buttler: “I thought he was excellent. He rotated the bowlers in the first six overs perfectly, he’s obviously done his homework in terms of match-ups.
“He’s probably less of a match-up captain than this man was (Morgan). Jos is a little more gut feel.
“The first over goes for four, its spinning square, and then we don’t see him (Ali) again. That for me is a captain who is now thinking very much of match-ups.
“Jos is learning all the time. The only thing he could learn is to have a slip in for Rashid and Ali.”
Former England batter Compton said on Sky Sports News: “It’s been a tough transition from Morgan (England did not win a white-ball series at home this summer). Morgan was an outstanding leader.
“Jos and new coach Matthew Mott have taken a while to find their feet but they have grown in stature, found their patterns and what players are going to play important roles.
“I thought Buttler had one of his best games [against New Zealand].”
Watch England vs Sri Lanka, in Sydney, live on Sky Sports Cricket on Saturday. Build-up begins at 7.30am ahead of an 8am start.
© 2023 Sky UK
