Buttler tempers Archer expectations despite crashing return in Pakistan triumph

By Sports Desk May 26, 2024

Jofra Archer may not immediately return with the crashing impact he previously had on England, but Jos Buttler is looking forward to utilising the fast bowler after his lengthy injury lay-off.

Rapid pacer Archer capped his first England performance in over a year with two wickets as England secured a 23-run victory over Pakistan in their T20I at Edgbaston.

With the upcoming T20 World Cup on the horizon, England captain Buttler was delighted to have Archer back in the fold – but warned his workload must be managed.

"I thought he was brilliant; you can see the emotion, taking wickets again, is fantastic," said Buttler, who plundered 84 off just 54 deliveries in the first innings to set the tone.

"He's not just going to be the Jofra Archer of old straight away, but a really positive performance.

"It's absolutely trying to get overs into Jofra but looking after him as well. I thought the whole bowling group was brilliant."

Buttler's knock, which included eight fours and three sixes, marked the second-highest score by an England captain in a T20I, behind Eoin Morgan's 91 against New Zealand in 2019.

On his own performance, Buttler added: "You always want to be playing well. I feel like I'm hitting the ball well, which is great."

Pakistan appeared to be setting their chase of 184 up well as Babar Azam crafted a fine 32, along with Fakhar Zaman's quickfire 45 off just 21 balls.

Yet the Pakistan captain fell lbw to Moeen Ali, with Fakhar then holing out off Liam Livingstone to Harry Brook in the deep as the visitors unfurled in Birmingham.

"Mostly we are flexible and everyone knows their role," Babar said after the defeat. "Before the series, we decided to go with these roles, so we're clear.

"The way Fakhar dominated after the early wickets fell. I think if me and Fakhar had batted for four or five more overs, then we could have won."

Related items

  • Livingstone rallies for England to level Australia series Livingstone rallies for England to level Australia series

    Liam Livingstone plundered an impressive 87 from 47 balls to propel England to a three-wicket victory and level their three-match T20I series against Australia.

    Australia had put themselves in a strong position to take the series in their 200th men's T20I, but had no answer for Livingstone during England's chase.

    Travis Head and Matt Short opened with a 52-run partnership, but Adil Rashid bowled the former before catching out the latter to end their stand.

    Jake Fraser-McGurk (50) and Josh Inglis (42) pushed the tourists forward, but Livingstone (2-16) and Brydon Carse (2-26), in for the rested Jofra Archer, soon stalled their progress.

    Aaron Hardie's late burst of 20 gave Australia a strong tally of 193-6, and they started strongly with the ball, too.

    Short (5-22) ended Phil Salt's stand at 39 before Will Jacks (12) and Jordan Cox (0) were both dismissed by Sean Abbott in a single over.

    But Livingstone would prove a thorn in Australia's side once again as he hit his half-century off 27 balls before carrying England closer to their total.

    There was a slightly nervy ending, as England, needing just one run off nine balls, lost Livingstone and Carse in two balls before Adil Rashid got them over the line.

    Data Debrief: Livingstone hits landmark

    England have taken it to the final T20I thanks to Livingstone's heroics, with the series all to play for at Old Trafford on Sunday.

    Livingstone's 87 is the highest score for England in a successful chase when batting four or lower, and he did so on his fifth T20I appearance for England.

  • No Limits: Dynamic defender Wilson targets more success with Thunderbirds; ready to lead Sunshine Girls in England series No Limits: Dynamic defender Wilson targets more success with Thunderbirds; ready to lead Sunshine Girls in England series

    Jamaica’s netball star Latanya Wilson is riding high on the wave of success, both personally and professionally.

    After two stellar seasons with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League, Wilson is poised for even greater accomplishments, with two more years to go on her three-year contract, which concludes in 2026.

    Wilson’s journey since joining the Thunderbirds in 2021 has so far been nothing short of remarkable, and she remains laser-focused on her goals—both for her club and country.

    “My time with Adelaide has been a dream. When I first joined the Thunderbirds, I knew it was going to be a challenge, but the team has embraced me, and together we’ve achieved so much in a short space of time. We’ve been able to build a winning culture, and I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person,” Wilson told SportsMax.Tv as she reflected.

    “Winning two titles in the best league in the world is a massive achievement in my career, and I'm immensely proud of my team and myself for our hard work and dedication. But there’s still more to accomplish, more titles to chase, and more growth to be had,” she added, while flashing her infectious smile.

    The dynamic defender’s powerful performances have earned her a reputation as one of the league’s premier players, and her contributions, in tandem with Sunshine Girls teammate Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, have helped the Thunderbirds emerge as perennial title contenders.

    Speed, confidence, and good timing are key to Wilson's defensive prowess, and that, coupled with her ability to read the game, disrupt opponents, and rally her team during critical moments, has made her a fan favorite.

    The 23-year-old tallied 46 intercepts, 89 deflections, 19 general turnovers, and 11 rebounds last season, and that has left her excited about what the next two years will bring with the Thunderbirds.

    “While there's always pressure to perform, our focus is on continuous improvement as a team. If we achieve that, defending the title will come naturally for us, so I’m excited for what’s to come, and I know that with the talent and determination we have in this team, we can achieve even greater things,” Wilson declared.

    While club success remains at the forefront of her mind, Wilson is also gearing up for an exciting chapter in her international career, as Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls are set to engage England in a four-match series against England, and her expectations are high.

    With both teams tied on 187 rating points, a series win for the fourth-ranked Sunshine Girls would see them leap above their third-ranked opponents.

    The series will see the Jamaicans travelling to England for the first two matches, scheduled for November 16 and 17, while the return games will take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Jamaica on November 25 and 26.

    “The series against England is a big one for us. England is a tough opponent, but we’ve been working hard, and we’re ready for the challenge. Every game is an opportunity to get better, and we’re focused on building on our performances from the Netball World Cup to continue representing Jamaica at the highest level,” she shared.

    Though the task of balancing university and a professional career can be an arduous journey, the soft-spoken Wilson is committed to pushing the barriers to achieve what she set out to. 

    “I stay motivated by the desire to provide for my family and my love for the game. Physically, I'm constantly pushing myself to improve through training and being accountable, and I approach each game with respect and determination,” Wilson reasoned.