Buttler is a special talent, says Cook

England captain welcomes return of Broad, Finn ahead of Australia clash.

NOTTINGHAM: Captain Alastair Cook forecast Jos Buttler’s decisive innings against New Zealand at Trent Bridge would be the first of many occasions the talented shotmaker would swing a match England’s way.

The 22-year-old Somerset wicket-keeper was outscored by England teammates Ian Bell (82) and Eoin Morgan (49) in Wednesday’s clash.

But it was Buttler’s 47 not out off just 16 balls that was pivotal in setting up a 34-run win in the third One-Day International, albeit New Zealand took the series 2-1.

What stood out, apart from Buttler’s sheer speed of scoring, was the improvised scoop and reverse scoop shots that testified to a fantastic eye and a healthy disregard for the coaching manual.

Thanks to Buttler, England were able to post a competitive 287 for six before bowling out New Zealand for 253.



“It’s not going to happen every single time, we know that, but it’s great to have that talent, the potential and the firepower to do that,” said Cook. “We’ve seen him do it a number of times for Somerset and we’re going to see him do it a lot more for England.

“It’s a special talent and something he’s worked very hard on. It’s great credit to him because it’s a skill that needs to be practised.”

Cook happy with return of pacers

More good news for England, ahead of their opening match against archrivals Australia at Edgbaston today, was the return of Stuart Broad and Steven Finn.

Both seamers missed the first two matches of the New Zealand series through injury but they took two wickets each at Trent Bridge.

Cook was cautiously optimistic about their fitness, saying, “We’ll have a look at those things but it’s great they got through the game without ill effects.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand begin their Champions Trophy quest against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Sunday.

And opener Martin Guptill, man-of-the-series against England after scoring 330 runs with two centuries – including a New Zealand record 189 not out at Southampton on Sunday – said the Black Caps would travel to Wales in positive mood.

“It didn’t go quite as planned but we’re happy with the series win,” he said. “It gives us confidence and momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2013.