Buttler Puts On A Masterclass At Old Trafford
There are moments in cricket when everything clicks for a batter — the timing is pure, the placement is precise, and the opposition simply has no answer. Sunday evening at Emirates Old Trafford was one of those moments for Jos Buttler. The England wicketkeeper-batter strode to the crease with Manchester Super Giants already wobbling and proceeded to dismantle the Birmingham Phoenix attack with an innings of 90 from 50 balls, laced with seven fours and five sixes. It was the kind of display that reminds you just how destructive Buttler can be when he is in full flow.
The knock helped Super Giants post 187-5 from their 100 balls — the second-highest total ever recorded at Old Trafford in The Hundred — setting Phoenix a target that, on the evidence of the evening, was never going to be threatened.
Early Wobbles Before The Storm
It had not all been plain sailing for the home side. Tim Seifert and skipper Aiden Markram both departed cheaply, leaving Super Giants in a precarious position early in their innings. That, however, only seemed to sharpen Buttler's focus. The 35-year-old began with a measured authority before gradually shifting through the gears, bringing up his half-century in just 31 balls. After reaching 50, he showed no intention of easing off, continuing to attack the Phoenix bowlers from all angles until being dismissed with three balls still remaining. Tom Moores chipped in handsomely at the death, finishing unbeaten on 39 from just 17 deliveries to help push the total beyond what any reasonable Phoenix target-setter could have planned for. Rehan Ahmed was the pick of the Phoenix bowlers, taking 2-43, but even he was unable to contain Buttler for long.
Phoenix Crumble In Reply
Chasing 188, Birmingham Phoenix needed a fast start and instead got the opposite. Josh Tongue was in excellent early rhythm, removing both Will Smeed and Rehan Ahmed in consecutive deliveries to leave Phoenix reeling almost before they had begun. The middle order never found the foothold they needed, and the innings folded for a meagre 100 all out from 97 balls. Anton Ferreira's 23 from 25 deliveries was the highest score in a deeply disappointing reply. Liam Dawson was the standout performer with the ball for Super Giants, claiming 3-15 in a controlled and disciplined display that strangled any hopes of a Phoenix recovery.
Super Giants Look Like Genuine Contenders
This result cements Manchester Super Giants' position at the summit of The Hundred men's table, with two wins from two matches. From a betting perspective, this kind of comprehensive early-season form will inevitably shorten their outright tournament odds — expect the markets to reflect their growing status as serious title contenders. Buttler's resurgence, coming off the back of a 131 against India in T20 internationals earlier this month, suggests he is carrying that white-ball confidence seamlessly into franchise cricket.
As a former coach, I've always believed that tournament momentum is built on performances like this — not just the runs scored, but the manner in which they're scored. Buttler looked utterly in command, and if he continues in this vein, the other seven franchises should be very worried indeed. Phoenix, meanwhile, will need a sharp response when they next take the field, having now been exposed both with bat and ball.
