Jos Buttler breaks T20 record in Super Giants' victory
Jos Buttler made history at Old Trafford on Friday, overtaking Kieron Pollard's T20 career runs record during Manchester Super Giants' dominant 9-wicket win over Welsh Fire. The England T20 captain scored 51 not out from just 20 balls, ending his innings with a pair of sixes off Lockie Ferguson to cap a thrilling chase. Buttler shared a crucial stand with Tim Seifert, who contributed 62 from 36 balls, as Super Giants comfortably reached their target of 156 with 31 balls to spare.
The record-breaking moment came when Buttler smashed the first of three sixes in a row against Duan Jansen. His 51 included two fours and six towering sixes, showcasing his explosive form. The milestone move placed Buttler at the top of the T20 batting charts, surpassing Kieron Pollard's previous mark of 14,803 runs. The win also highlighted the strength of Super Giants, who now sit in third place in The Hundred men's competition. Buttler now has 14,833 runs in 522 T20 matches, along with nine centuries and 105 fifties, overtaking Pollard's 14,803 runs in 746 matches. Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle, long regarded as the format's greatest batter, is now third on the list with 14,562 runs in 463 matches, including 22 centuries. A conversation with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick helped Buttler rediscover form that led to the record. Buttler said the advice helped him refine his technique and free his mind, allowing him to see the ball better and play more confidently.
Welsh Fire's powerful batting effort
Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt made an unexpected choice to bat after winning the toss, setting the stage for a high-scoring innings. Salt formed an opening partnership of 125 with Matt Short, who struck 71 from 47 balls. Salt himself made 48 off 37 deliveries as the pair combined for 11 fours and five sixes. Their partnership was a masterclass in aggressive batting and set the tone for the innings.
The partnership finally came to an end in the 83rd ball of the innings when Salt was caught in the deep off the bowling of Josh Tongue. That marked the start of a mini collapse, as Short and Salt were both dismissed for 48 and 71 respectively. Welsh Fire then lost Jordan Cox, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and others to the bowling of Gus Atkinson before finally finishing their innings on 155-4. Gus Atkinson returned impressive figures of 2/12 to restrict the visitors.
Super Giants' aggressive reply
Super Giants responded with an equally impressive batting performance, opening with a blistering 74-run partnership between Tim Seifert and Paul Walter. Paul Walter chipped in with a rapid 37 from 18 deliveries.
Walter's dismissal came when Ben Kellaway executed a brilliant catch at mid-wicket, stepping over the boundary rope to secure the wicket. Despite this, Super Giants maintained their aggressive momentum, with Seifert and Buttler combining for the victory. Their win moved them into third place, four points behind second-placed Welsh Fire.
What's next in The Hundred
In the upcoming men's fixtures, London Spirit will face MI London at Lord's. The match is expected to be a key encounter in the race for the top spot. In the women's competition, teams looking to climb the table will be in action, including one currently at the bottom of the standings. The match starts at 15:00 BST.
The men’s match between MI and Spirit will begin at 18:30 BST, with both teams aiming to secure a win.
Meanwhile, the ‘Who am I?’ challenge featuring a player from The Hundred remains a popular feature, with fans trying to guess the identity of the mystery cricket star based on clues.
