Jos Buttler has admitted that thrashing New Zealand by 210 runs in the first one-day international was the perfect start to a new era of English cricket.
The England wicketkeeper reached his century in just 66 balls before finally departing with 129 to his name as the hosts posted 408-9, and New Zealand were never able to come close to chasing down the target.
After playing a key role in helping England post their highest score in ODI cricket, Buttler claims that it was important to see the side take a positive step following a disastrous World Cup campaign earlier this year.
"It is up there with the best I've played," he told BBC Sport. "The timing is pleasing with this new era of English cricket, as everyone keeps talking about. Most of all, it was really fun today.
"We have had some tough times in the last 18 months so it is great for the crowd to be able to enjoy this. We said at half-time, whatever happens we are on the right track. We need to keep playing this way."
Buttler fell just five balls short of his own 61-ball record for the fastest hundred by an England batsman.
Callum Mulvihill
