Jos Buttler scored a dazzling unbeaten century to guide England to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Australia at Old Trafford Sunday to seal an unprecedented 5-0 one-day series triumph over their old rival.
England were in a parlous position at 27 for four, chasing Australia's total of 205 all out, when the gifted, powerful Butler came to the crease and played one a masterful innings.
Yet even though England crumbled further to 114 for eight, the wicket-keeper kept cool as wickets tumbled around him to smash an unbeaten 110 off 122 balls and seal England's first 5-0 whitewash over Australia in any form of men's cricket.
It was a remarkable effort, with the joint next highest English contribution being Adil Rashid's 20 although the No 10's 47-ball effort in a ninth-wicket partnership of 81 was also key to helping the home side get across the line.
Jos Buttler's scores since start of May:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) June 24, 2018
IPL - 67, 51, 82, 95*, 94*, 39
Tests - 14, 67, 80*
ODIs - 9, 91*, 11, 54*, 110*
10 fifty-plus scores in 14 innings.
864 runs at average 108.00. #EngvAus
When Rashid was out with 11 still needed, last man Jake Ball held up the Australian attack for 10 balls, allowing Buttler, who got his ton with a second six, to guide England home with a handsome driven boundary, his 12th, and nine balls to spare.
It capped a perfect week for England in which they had also become world record breaker by compiling a 50-over total of 481 at Nottingham Tuesday.
Buttler had then struck a whirlwind unbeaten half-century to guide them to another victory at Chester-le-Street Thursday.
The 27-year-old, who also executed a brilliant run-out and stumping Sunday as Australia succumbed largely to Moeen Ali's four wickets, was also voted player of the series, having compiled 275 runs from the five matches at an average of 137.5.
Josssss!! @josbuttler has been named player of the series! ? ? pic.twitter.com/kwnwkzFSiL
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 24, 2018
5TH ODI
England 208/9 in 48.3 overs (Buttler 110*, Stanlake 3/35) beat Australia 205 in 34.4 overs (Head 56, Moeen 4/46) by one wicket
