Top 5 Jos Buttler knocks in ODIs

Since making his ODI debut against Pakistan in 2012, Jos Buttler has grown leaps and bounds in the evolving white-ball circuit. From 114 ODIs thus far (*as of 25th June, 2018), he has hammered 3091 runs at an impressive average of 40.67 and astonishing strike-rate of 117.52. Beyond mere numbers, one would be hard pressed to identify a more dynamic middle-order batsman in the present day 50-over format.

As many as 17 of Buttler's 23 fifty-plus scores has resulted in victories for England. It may not be far fetched to ascertain that he remains the pivotal player in the team's remarkable ODI resurgence in the aftermath of the 2015 World Cup.

In this segment, let us take a look at five of Buttler's best knocks in the 50-over format. The momentousness of the performance as well as relative strength of the opposition bowling attack has been factored in order to enumerate his exploits.

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#5 - 129 (77) against New Zealand at Edgbaston, 2015

Buttler's vicious assault powered England past the 400-run mark for the first time

In what was their first ODI (a solitary game against Ireland was washed out) after a disastrous campaign in the 2015 World Cup, there were not much expectations riding on England. After all, their opponents at Birmingham were runners-up New Zealand.

After winning the toss on a placid track, visiting skipper Brendon McCullum surprisingly opted to bowl first. An enterprising century from Joe Root set the platform for England's lower middle-order. Coming in at 180/4 around the halfway mark, Buttler launched a vicious assault on the Kiwi bowlers.

Buttler took calculated risks even as the typically aggressive New Zealand captain refused to relent tactically. By the time he was dismissed in the 48th over, the wicket-keeper batsman had blasted 129 from just 77 balls. His knock, laced with 13 boundaries and 5 sixes, helped England reach their then highest ODI total of 408. The hosts eventually won the match by a whopping 210 runs.

#4 - 121 (74) against Sri Lanka at Lord's, 2014

England fell short by seven runs despite Buttler's heroics

A determined Sri Lankan team visited England shores during the summer of 2014. Going into the fourth ODI at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, they trailed 1-2 in the 5-match series. A hefty partnership between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara hauled the tourists to a round 300.

The Yorkshire duo of Gary Ballance and Joe Root tried to offset the fall of early wickets. Soon, the middle-order crumbled and England found themselves at 111/5. With Ravi Bopara for company, Buttler brought the run-chase back on track. Running hard between the wickets, the duo brought the equation down to 62 runs from the last six overs.

After Bopara's dismissal, Buttler took the attack to Nuwan Kulasekara whilst smartly playing out Ajantha Mendis. With twelve runs required off the last over, the threat of Lasith Malinga loomed large. The belligerent right-hander found himself outfoxed by the modern game's pre-eminent death bowler. Although England fell short by seven runs, Buttler's spectacular 74-ball 121 was deemed enough for the Man of the Match award.

#3 - 116*(52) against Pakistan at Dubai, 2015

Buttler's ruthless century in Dubai is the fastest in England's ODI history

Having set the record for England's fastest ODI century during the 2014 Lord's encounter against Sri Lanka, Buttler rewrote history by eclipsing his own mark in the space of 18 months. A struggling Pakistan side were at the receiving end of his brutal knock.

Much before Sarfraz Ahmed shepherded Pakistan's white-ball resurgence, the then outfit led by Azhar Ali comprised a frail bowling attack. Whilst Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali and Wahab Riaz formed an underwhelming seam unit, part-time off-spinner Shoaib Malik doubled up as the fifth bowling option. Needless to say, carnage ensued in Dubai.

Armed with Jason Roy's tone-setting century, England raced off the blocks. Buttler arrived at the crease during the 36th over and decided to go nuclear. He reached the three-figure mark off just 46 balls (which remains the joint-seventh fastest in ODI history). His unbeaten 116, consisting of 10 boundaries and 8 sixes, spawned a mammoth total of 355.

#2 - 110*(122) against Australia at Manchester, 2018

Buttler showed immaculate awareness whilst batting with the lower-order

A packed crowd greeted the top ranked England side during the fifth ODI against Australia at Old Trafford. Primed to inflict a 5-0 whitewash on their arch-rivals, the hosts appeared to be well on their way when they bowled their opponents out for just 205. However, their top-order suffered a seemingly catastrophic meltdown.

Extra Cover: England vs Australia 2018 - 5 Talking Points from 5th ODI

At 27/4, England threatened to unravel rather cheaply. The in-form Buttler had other ideas. Upon showcasing his hitting prowess in the preceding encounters, he put on a staggering demonstration of marshalling the lower-order.

Realising the precariousness of the situation, Buttler shunned his natural approach and looked to manoeuvre the field. When only two wickets were left at England's disposal, he preyed on even slightly wayward deliveries without inhibition. Once the last man joined him in the frenetic contest, the right-hander kept his nerve and steered his team to a thrilling victory.

#1 - 100*(83) against Australia at Sydney, 2018

Buttler propelled England to their maiden bilateral ODI series victory in Australia

Before the 2018 series, England had played three bilateral ODI series on Australian soil and lost convincingly on each occasion. Close on the heels of receiving a 0-4 hammering in the Ashes, the onus was on Eoin Morgan's vibrant white-ball lineup to buck the trend. Comfortable victories in Melbourne and Brisbane left the visitors on the precipice of history.

The potent Australian pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins rose to the occasion during the third ODI in Sydney. When talisman Joe Root was dismissed in the 23rd over, England were mired at 107/4.

At such a crucial juncture, Buttler served a batting masterclass which proved to be instrumental in sealing the series. He smashed 6 boundaries and 4 sixes in a clinical 83-ball century. Aided by Chris Woakes' pulsating cameo, the wicket-keeper batsman lifted his team past the 300-run mark. A collective bowling effort helped England obtain a narrow but momentous win.