After failing to win a single match in the recently concluded five-match series against England, Australian team captain Tim Paine heaped praise on England keeper-batsman Jos Buttler, calling him better than Indian wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni. Paine termed Buttler as “the best white-ball wicketkeeper-batsman in the world”.
Tim Paine’s recent comments came after Buttler played a superb 110-run (not out) knock to guide his team a wicket over the series final game at Old Trafford, Manchester on June 24. Buttler played 112 balls and struck 12 fours and one six in his unbeaten 110 runs knock. He scored at 90.38 Strike Rate.
Besides scoring 110 in the last game, Buttler had a successful series as he scored 9, 91, 11 and 54 in previous four encounters against the visitors.
“He’s good, he’s very good,” Paine, a keeper-batsman himself, said about Buttler.
“Right now, at the moment, he’d have to be the best white-ball wicket-keeper batsman in the world. I don’t think there’s too many guys to challenge him. MS Dhoni is pretty good, but right at this moment, Jos is at the absolute peak of his powers. He understands his one-day game so well and knows his strengths inside out and just doesn’t go away from him.”
Paine’s comparison between Buttler and former Indian skipper Dhoni has sparked a debate on Twitter, with the majority criticising the Australian skipper for his statement.
Here are some of the reactions:
There is no comparison between MSD & Buttler
Buttler is the student of the principal Dhoni’s school_— Mohammad Hasan (@hasanrazaazhari) June 25, 2018
But but MS Dhoni can run. _
— The Footie Brain __ (@TheCricketBrain) June 25, 2018
He must have not seen @msdhoni lightning stumps evn b4 a blink.
— M K (@mukeshkithania9) June 25, 2018
Yes Dhoni as a wicket keeper is far better but with the bat butler is pretty good.
— Sahil (@Sahil81753491) June 25, 2018
Absolutely not because Dhoni is better……..
Not only better but he is the best………— Pratisruti Pal (@Guddu_9201) June 25, 2018
No, of course not. Who is Tim Paine by the way?
— r4ms3dhu (@r4ms3dhu) June 25, 2018
This was the first time in over 140 years that England registered a 5-0 series sweep against their arch-rivals Australia. Also, Australia achieved their lowest-ever rankings in 30 years and are now placed 6th in the ICC rankings, 2 points below Pakistan and 7 points ahead of Bangladesh.
