T20 World Cup: Jos Buttler Ton Helps England Defeat Sri Lanka By 26 Runs In Sharjah
NDTV
T20 World Cup, ENG vs SL: Jos Buttler was in top form and smashed an unbeaten century as England defeated Sri Lanka on Monday.
Jos Buttler hit the first century of the Twenty20 World Cup as England effectively booked their semi-final spot with a 26-run victory over Sri Lanka on Monday. Buttler's unbeaten 101 - his maiden century in 86 T20 internationals - steered England to 163 for four after being invited to bat first in Sharjah. England bowlers led by Adil Rashid then combined to bowl out Sri Lanka for 137 in 19 overs and remain unbeaten with four wins in the Super 12 stage to stay top of the group.
Only South Africa and Australia can match their eight points but England already have the cushion of a far superior run rate.
Buttler smashed six fours and six sixes in his 67-ball knock and put on 112 with skipper Eoin Morgan, who made 40, to lift England after they were in trouble at 35-3.
The England opener, who hit an unbeaten 71 in the win over Australia, surpassed his previous T20 best of 83 and now leads the tournament batting chart with 214 runs.
Sri Lanka had England on the backfoot but Buttler stood firm and took the attack to the opposition as he got to his hundred on the final ball of the innings with another hit over the fence.
