Jos Buttler’s terrific Adelaide grind ends with an unfortunate hit-wicket
England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler played one of his better Test knocks on Monday (December 20) to keep his team’s fight going on the final day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Leading England’s fight to salvage a draw, Buttler played out 207 deliveries at his end for his patient and defiant 26. With the backdrop of his three previous failures in the series, the situation in the game and the quality of the Australian attack on a worsening surface, it was an excellent innings under pressure.
Jos Buttler enjoyed a stroke of luck at the start of his knock when he nicked the ball outside off but the ball sneaked through in the tiny gap between the wicketkeeper and the first-slip following an error in judgement from the two fielders.
But other than that, it was an exceptional effort at the crease from the English batter, who had failed previously in Brisbane and in the first innings at Adelaide but returned to show his class.
However, the innings from Buttler wouldn’t just be remembered for its impressively dogged nature in challenging circumstances. But also the painful way in which it ended.
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Jos Buttler got out in a painful mode after a long vigil at the crease in Adelaide.
Jos Buttler out-done by a rare hit-wicket dismissal
Yes, when none of the Australian bowlers could dismiss him, Jos Buttler was out-done by a bitter piece of misfortune as he got out hit-wicket with his back-leg crashing onto the stumps.
As Buttler shaped up to defend a delivery from Australian pacer Jhye Richardson off the final ball of the 110th over in the innings, he ended up hitting the stumps with his back leg in momentum.
What a way to end an epic innings!
That's the first time Buttler has been dismissed hit wicket in his 193-innings first class career #Ashes pic.twitter.com/nRP09djjay
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2021
Buttler initially didn’t realise what had happened as he took a few steps outside his crease to see if he can sneak through for a single and be on strike at the start of the next over. But then sounds of celebration from Australian fielders made him turn back and Buttler could only stare at the stumps, feeling disgusted over his bad luck.
Australia soon reached home to take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes. But Jos Buttler would personally take a lot of satisfaction from the fight that he showcased and hope that it can inspire a turnaround for him for the rest of the series.