England will try breaching 500-run mark in ODIs, says Jos Buttler

English batter Jos Buttler said that England will keep trying to reach the 500-run mark in ODIs. He feels that it can happen on a batting-friendly wicket in a small ground, although it is difficult to try and achieve. On June 17 (Friday), England came close to reaching that milestone, as they set up a world-record total of 498 against the Netherlands in VRA Cricket Ground, Amstelveen during their first ODI.

Buttler said that regardless of how much the team scores, it is the mentality that they show to keep on trying to improve and better themselves. The wicketkeeper-batter scored an unbeaten 162 runs off 70 balls in the first ODI against the Netherlands, taking the team past the previous record set by themselves of 481-6 against Australia in 2018.

“We’ve come close one time before this and the message in the team is to try to keep pushing boundaries and taking the team forward, take the game on,” said Buttler as quoted by TOI. “Is it a matter of time before we make 500? I don’t know. We’ll keep trying to do it.”

Eoin Morgan in awe of Jos Buttler for his masterclass in 1st ODI

England’s 498-4 also beat the previous best in List-A cricket of 496-4 set by Surrey in 2007. England captain Eoin Morgan said that it was “incredible” and not something that can be taken for granted. He also called Buttler the best white-ball cricketer in the world at the moment, following his incredible knock in Amstelveen. Unsurprisingly, Buttler was named the Player of the Match in a 232-run victory over the hosts for his relentless hitting against the Dutch bowlers.

“Jos (Buttler) played in a world of his own like he had been over the last year or two years,” said the England captain. “It’s incredible to watch and not something we ever get sick of or take for granted. It really is amazing cricket. It is the reason he probably is the best white-ball cricketer in the world at the moment.”

England have broken the 400-run barrier five times in ODIs, and also have the three highest scores in the format, including their 444-3 against Pakistan that was scored in 2016. The previous best, before 2016, was held by Sri Lanka with a score of 443-9 which was also scored in Amstelveen, back in 2006.