Jos Buttler steered England to victory with a brutal knock in Barbados (Picture: Getty)
Jos Buttler reserved special praise for Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone and Chris Jordan after England secured a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with an emphatic 10-wicket victory over the United States.
England have grown into the tournament after a slow start and Buttler and Co produced their best performance yet as they put the USA to the sword in Barbados.
Jordan, who missed out against the West Indies and South Africa, shone with the ball and took a brilliant hat-trick – removing Ali Khan, Nosthush Kenjige and Saurabh Netravalkar in consecutive balls – as England dismissed their opposition for just 115.
England chased down that target without losing a single wicket in the space of just 9.4 overs, a result that sealed them a spot in the final four due to their outstanding net run-rate.
Buttler and Phil Salt finished on 25 and 83 not out respectively, with the England captain punishing Harmeet Singh with five sixes in an extraordinary eighth over.
The defending champions are yet to discover who they will face in the next round of the tournament.
‘We paid the USA a lot of respect but coming here we talked a lot about intensity and if we could bring that onto the field we thought we’d be too good,’ Buttler told Sky Sports shortly after the win.
Buttler’s side do not yet know who they will face in the semi-finals (Picture: Getty)
Buttler applauded the efforts of England spinners Rashid and Livingstone, who impressed with the ball during the United States’ collapse.
‘They were brilliant. Adil has been fantastic all the way through and I though Livi bowled brilliantly as well,’ Buttler added.
‘In tandem they created a lot of pressure, created wickets. They don’t make it easy sometimes. In one game they don’t bowl at all and then Livi bowls four overs today.
‘Credit to him for being ready and producing really good skill’
Jordan took a stunning hat-trick in Barbados (Picture: Getty)
Asked about England’s decision to recall Jordon, Buttler explained: ‘I thought today we wanted to bring CJ back in to add a little bit of depth to the batting line-up as well, with his all-round capabilities and we know what he’s capable of with the ball as well.
‘He executed fantastically well and a World Cup hat-trick is a great effort.’
The England skipper said his superb knock came as a great confidence boost heading into the semi-finals.
‘I’ve been feeling good all year to be honest,’ he continued.
‘You don’t always get the results but now I feel like I’m hitting the ball well. It’s nice to get that confidence.
‘It’s important to try and look after my own game as well. As much as you try and be captain and have a broad view, I’m still one of XI and I’ve got to do my job.’
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Source:: Metro
