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Harry Brook Backs Out-of-Form Jos Buttler to Start England's T20 World Cup Semi-Final

Brook pointed to Buttler's long-term record following the win over New Zealand.

Overview

  • Buttler has 62 runs in seven innings at the tournament with five single-figure scores, including a duck against New Zealand in Colombo.
  • England beat New Zealand by four wickets chasing 160 to top Group 2 and advance to the semi-finals.
  • Brook called Buttler "probably the best white-ball player" and highlighted a T20I record of about 150 games at an average near 34 with a strike-rate around 145.
  • Reports indicate Buttler is expected to open in the semi-final in Mumbai against India or West Indies, with Ben Duckett a backup option unlikely to be used.
  • Buttler's lean stretch extends beyond this event, with just one fifty in his last 24 innings across England and franchise T20s.