Just days after the death of Jos Buttler’s father, the England star made an emotional return to the field in The Hundred. Fans knew it wasn’t going to be an ordinary match, not for Buttler, not for Manchester Originals, and not for the thousands watching at The Oval. Grief is a powerful force, and playing through it? That takes something special.
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A Post That Broke (and Touched) Hearts
On August 6, the world learned that John Buttler, Jos Buttler’s father, had passed away. Instead of stepping away from the game, Jos chose to play that very same day against Southern Brave, and again just three days later in the Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals match. After the second match, he posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Alongside a cherished photo from England’s 2019 World Cup win—him holding the trophy with John Buttler. He simply wrote:
“Rest in peace Dad. Thank you for everything.”
No dramatic speech. No hashtags. Just raw, honest emotion. Fans poured into the comments with support, many admitting the post left them teary-eyed. It was a reminder that cricket players aren’t just athletes; they’re people, too.
Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals Match Highlights
Now, onto the game itself. The highly anticipated Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals match on August 9 at The Oval. While emotions ran high for Manchester, the Invincibles showed no mercy with their performance. Manchester, batting first, struggled early. Jason Behrendorff was on fire, removing both Matty Hurst and the grieving son within the first 15 balls. The Originals found themselves 18 for 2 before many fans had even settled in.
✅ First men’s player
✅ Second player in #TheHundred after Nat Sciver-BruntPhil Salt has scored 1,000 competition runs! 🙇 pic.twitter.com/VWIyDxbYjZ
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 9, 2025
Phil Salt, stepping in as captain, played a gritty knock of 41 off 32 balls, passing the 1,000-run mark in The Hundred. Mark Chapman added a handy 28, but Rashid Khan turned the screws with a clinical 3 for 19, helping restrict the Originals to just 128.
Clinical. #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/m5ob96t5Gt
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 9, 2025
The chase? Honestly, it was barely a chase. Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye looked like they were playing on easy mode, hammering 114 runs for the opening stand. Jacks was explosive, Muyeye was smooth, and the Invincibles reached their target in just 57 balls, winning by nine wickets. Two matches, two wins, Invincibles are making a serious statement this season.
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Buttler’s Performance：Bravery Beyond Runs
It wasn’t the fairytale comeback fans might’ve hoped for. Batting at No. 3, Buttler lasted just four balls before edging one to Donovan Ferreira. A four-ball duck. It happens to the best, but this time, it hit differently.
The numbers say 0. But if you were watching, you know the scoreboard didn’t capture the weight on his shoulders. Jos Buttler’s father, John Buttler, wasn’t just a dad—he was a guiding light in his cricketing journey. His absence is more than emotional; it’s monumental. In both of his matches since the tragedy, Buttler hasn’t quite found form, scoring 22 and 0, but that’s not the story here. The story is about a man choosing to show up. To face the world. To honour John Buttler not with a century, but with courage.
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His teammates recognised that too. Manchester Originals players wore black armbands in his memory, standing by Buttler not just as a cricketer, but as a friend going through the hardest of times.
More Than Just Cricket
The Oval Invincibles vs Manchester Originals match wasn’t just about points on a table. It was about resilience. About showing up when it’s easier to disappear. About cricket being more than a sport. It’s community, family, and sometimes, therapy. Jos Buttler’s father, John Buttler, may be gone, but his legacy lives on in every shot Jos takes, every match he plays, and every young player who watches and learns that strength isn’t just in sixes and wickets; it’s also in tears held back, and bats lifted in grief.
