Buttler stars as England clinch Australia T20 series win

Monday, 7 September 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Jos Buttler

SOUTHAMPTON, AFP: Jos Buttler made a dashing 77 not out as England beat Australia by six wickets in a series-clinching win in the second Twenty20 international at Southampton yesterday.

Victory saw England go an unbeatable 2-0 up in a three-match contest.

England, set 158 to win, finished on 158-4 with seven balls to spare. They needed 18 off the last two overs, with Australia having failed to score 19 off two overs in a dramatic two-run defeat in the first game on Friday.

But England got there in five balls from Adam Zampa, with Moeen Ali hitting a six and a four off successive deliveries from the leg-spinner.

Buttler finished the match with a huge straight six off Zampa. He faced just 54 balls, including eight fours and two sixes with this innings Buttler’s highest score in a T20 international, surpassing his 73 not out against Sri Lanka at Southampton four years ago.

Victory was set up by England’s attack, who held Australia to a modest 157-7 after the tourists had won the toss. Jofra Archer had David Warner caught behind for a third-ball duck and Australia were 89-5 with seven overs left before a late-order rally gave them a glimmer of hope.

The series concludes at Southampton on Tuesday.