Jos Buttler plundered an unbeaten 66 to lead England to a challenging 171 for four against defending champions Sri Lanka on a tricky Feroze Shah Kotla pitch in a crucial Group 1 match of the ICC World Twenty20, here tonight.
Buttler, who came in the 11th over, sent the Sri Lankan bowlers on a leatherhunt as England fetched 72 runs in the final five overs.
Having bagged a fat IPL contract with the Mumbai Indians, Buttler showed why he is so sought after in the shortest format, as he hit eight boundaries and three huge sixes in his 37-ball knock.
He completed his 50 off 28 balls with a six, a classic lofted on-drive off Dasun Shanaka. The third six was a monstrous hit over long-on off Dusmantha Chameera that sailed over covering a distance of 97 metres.
With skipper Eoin Morgan (22), Buttler added 74 runs for the fourth wicket in only 6.3 overs.
The momentum shifted in England's favour in the 16th over bowled by Thisara Perera in which 18 runs were scored. Skipper Morgan first whipped Thisara over short fine leg for a boundary and then lofted him over long-off for a six.
The over set the perfect platform for acceleration in the final four overs. In the very next over, Buttler hit Dusmantha Chameera through covers and a straight hit for a one bounce four. The third one was a cheeky boundary through point region as 14 came off that over.
Put into bat, England batsmen countered the Lankan spin threat admirably displaying good technique and character with opener Jason Roy (42) playing a completely contrasting innings compared to his carnage at the Wankhede Stadium, last week.
There were few significant partnerships including 61 for the second wicket between Jason and Joe Root (25).
To describe the pitch, it would be fair to say that the ball was gripping and there was some slow turn on offer with the occasional deliveries keeping low.
Strokemaking wasn't easy which prompted skipper Angelo Mathews to straightaway bring in his premier bowler Rangana Herath into action in the very second over.
Alex Hales (0) looked distinctly uncomfortable as he tried playing for the turn during the first three deliveries. The fourth delivery was an arm ball that he tried to sweep and was caught plumb in-front.
Mathews introduced leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay to replace himself. But Root and Roy, who had scripted a mammoth run-chase against South Africa showed impressive footwork to smother any turn that was on offer while on occasion they played for the spin.
Both got a few boundaries in the bargain through cuts, firm pushes and the reverse sweeps.
Root was content to the play the second fiddle as Roy took charge post Powerplay overs as he got a couple of sixes charging down to the left-arm spin duo of Herath and Milinda Siriwaradene.
Milinda bowled a full-toss that was promptly hit straight into the sightscreen while he used his feet to reach to the pitch of the delivery dispatching Herath to the cow corner.
The 50-run stand came off 48 balls as England reached 65 for one at the halfway stage. From there, Buttler took over to make a competitive total look comprehensive.
