England's cricketing stalwart Jos Buttler has etched his name deeper into the record books, achieving a remarkable career milestone on Tuesday. During the third One Day International against Sri Lanka at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter became only the second player from England to feature in 400 international matches across all formats.
A Landmark Achievement in Colombo
The historic moment arrived as England faced Sri Lanka in their ongoing ODI series, with Buttler taking the field for his 400th international appearance. At 35 years of age, the seasoned campaigner now occupies a prestigious position in England's cricketing history, sitting just behind the legendary fast bowler James Anderson on the nation's all-time appearances list.
Chasing Anderson's Record
James Anderson remains England's most-capped cricketer across formats with 401 international games to his name, complemented by an extraordinary haul of 991 wickets. Buttler's achievement brings him within touching distance of this monumental record, highlighting his exceptional longevity and consistency at the highest level of international cricket.
Buttler's Batting Mastery Across Formats
While Anderson's contributions have come primarily with the ball, Buttler's landmark has been built through his batting prowess. Across all international formats, the wicketkeeper-batter has accumulated an impressive 12,291 runs, including 14 centuries, establishing himself as one of England's most influential white-ball players of his generation.
Test Cricket Contributions
In the traditional Test format, Buttler has scored 2,907 runs from 57 matches and 100 innings, maintaining an average of 31.94. His red-ball record includes two centuries and 18 half-centuries, demonstrating his adaptability across different formats of the game.
ODI Dominance
The 50-over format has been particularly fruitful for Buttler, where he has accumulated 5,515 runs in 198 ODIs at an impressive average of 39.11. His ODI career includes 11 centuries and 29 half-centuries, making him a cornerstone of England's limited-overs batting lineup.
T20I Excellence
T20 Internationals remain Buttler's strongest suit, where he has truly flourished as a destructive batter. In 144 T20I matches, he has amassed 3,869 runs at an average of 35.49, with one century and 28 half-centuries to his name. His explosive batting at the top of the order has been instrumental in England's white-ball success.
Looking Ahead to T20 World Cup 2026
As a two-time ICC white-ball title winner, Buttler's journey continues with the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. England have already announced their squad for the tournament, with Harry Brook taking over the captaincy duties.
The Three Lions will commence their T20 World Cup campaign against Nepal on February 8, where Buttler is expected to play a pivotal role once again. His experience and match-winning abilities will be crucial as England seeks to add another trophy to their collection.
Buttler's achievement of 400 international caps not only celebrates his individual excellence but also underscores his remarkable durability and commitment to English cricket. As he continues to chase Anderson's record, the cricketing world watches with anticipation to see what further milestones this exceptional player might achieve in the coming years.
