England's Audacious Batting: Buttler Believes 450 Target Was Achievable in Test Victory

Jos Buttler, alongside former pacer Stuart Broad, dissected England's remarkable victory over India in the first Test at Headingley. The pair, speaking on their 'For The Love of Cricket' podcast, lauded England's aggressive approach and pinpointed pivotal moments in the match.

Jamie Smith receives congratulations from captain Ben Stokes after securing England's first Test win against India at Headingley (Image by Gareth Copley/Getty Images).

India initially set a formidable target, posting 471 in their first innings, fueled by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. England responded strongly, narrowing the gap to just six runs. India then added 364 runs in their third innings, setting England a target of 371. England chased it down with style, highlighted by a magnificent 149 from Ben Duckett and a composed performance from Jamie Smith.

Buttler made a bold statement regarding England's chase. "I think it would've come down to time, but even if they were chasing 450, they'd have given it a go. They cruised that 370," he remarked, emphasizing England's fluency and control throughout their innings.

He acknowledged that a higher target would require greater risk-taking but expressed confidence in England’s batting lineup, especially the top seven, possessing the firepower and belief to pursue it. "They’d have had to take more risks, but they’d definitely have had a go at it," Buttler affirmed.

This aligns with captain Ben Stokes’ consistent philosophy of avoiding draws, a key characteristic of England’s Bazball approach. Under the leadership of coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes, England has consistently pursued challenging fourth-innings targets with unwavering determination.

With a 1-0 lead and significant momentum, England moves on to Edgbaston, carrying a statement victory and a clear intention to continue pushing boundaries.