Jos Buttler breaks T20 runs record as England clinch series

Jos Buttler has made history, becoming the first player ever to reach 15,000 runs in T20 cricket. The England opener achieved the landmark during a blistering 30 off 16 balls that helped his side secure a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff on September 17, sealing the three-match series with a game to spare.

Buttler's knock of 30 runs was enough to push him past the 15,000-run barrier, a feat no other cricketer has managed. He overtook former West Indies star Kieron Pollard, who held the previous record with 14,999 runs. The 36-year-old reached the milestone in his 528th T20 appearance, maintaining a career average over 35 at a strike rate of 147.46. This record caps an incredible resurgence in form for Buttler, who had a slow start to the 2026 season. He has now amassed 241 runs in his last three T20 internationals at an average above 80 and a strike rate of 194.30.

The record fell during a comprehensive team performance. After restricting Sri Lanka to 145 for 9, England chased down the target with 7.5 overs to spare at Sophia Gardens. Tom Banton steered the chase with an unbeaten 52 from just 24 deliveries, supported by a rapid 23 from skipper Harry Brook. The victory marks England's 14th consecutive win over Sri Lanka and their 22nd in the last 25 T20 internationals. The bowlers set the platform, with Liam Dawson taking 3 for 32 and Jamie Overton claiming 2 for 23.

Buttler's achievement solidifies his status as one of the format's greatest ever batters. He already has nine T20 centuries, including two in internationals, and led England to the 2022 T20 World Cup title. Earlier in the series, he also overtook India's Rohit Sharma to become the second-leading run-scorer in T20 internationals. He now trails only Pakistan's Babar Azam in that specific list, with Babar holding a 274-run lead.

• Jos Buttler is the first batter in history to score 15,000 runs in T20 cricket.
• England won the series against Sri Lanka with a game to spare after a six-wicket victory in Cardiff on September 17.
• Buttler's recent form is explosive, with 241 runs in his last three T20I innings.
• The team's success continues under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Harry Brook.

The third and final T20I of the series will be played at Old Trafford on Saturday, September 19. England will be aiming for a clean sweep as they build momentum for future challenges.