Class players don’t need to rely on conditions in order to deliver. Their quality, skill and right mindset guide them through. And that’s what Jos Buttler proved again.

Fresh from his carnage against Australia the other night in favourable batting conditions in Dubai, Buttler hit an unbeaten 101 on a comparatively sluggish Sharjah wicket that laid the platform for England’s comprehensive 26-run win over Sri Lanka in Monday’s Super 12 game, which also took them closer to the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup.

A fair amount of credit should also be given to England’s bowlers who made early inroads once again and kept taking wickets at regular intervals, ensuring Buttler’s maiden T20I hundred — which came in a tough scenario as England were wobbling at 35/3 in the sixth over — didn’t go in vain. In conditions that weren’t easy for bowling, the English bowlers did well to bowl Sri Lanka out for 137 despite a late fightback by captain Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Leading from the front was Adil Rashid, again finishing with impressive figures (2/19 from four overs) even though gripping the ball was quite tough because of the dew.

England, defending 163/4, were also hamstrung with Tymal Mills unable to complete his quota due to a right quadricep issue that makes him doubtful for the rest of the competition. Eoin Morgan and his men did feel a bit of pressure with the death overs approaching, but a superb piece of work at the deep by Jason Roy led to Hasaranga’s dismissal off Liam Livingstone, who has been doing a decent job as a part-timer.

In the very next over, centurion Buttler effected an excellent run out to send Shanaka back and thereafter, England were well in control.

Earlier, Hasaranga’s intelligent bowling, during which he tested batsmen by varying his flight as well as pace, had England in real trouble. The pitch, during that phase, didn’t seem to be too easy for strokeplay, while England had lost Roy, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow with few runs on the board.

Alongside having a big task at hand, Buttler also had to bat and consolidate with his captain, whose wretched run began from the second phase of the IPL. Despite the circumstances, Buttler adjusted his game accordingly and chanced his arms only after skipper Morgan settled down having spent some time out in the middle.

And once Buttler got into his groove, the smiles were back in the English dressing room.