Jos Buttler is the 14th best batsman in ODI cricket? Don't make me laugh

SAM MORSHEAD: While the ICC’s rankings algorithm is proudly objective, based as it is on a "sophisticated moving average", there is not a computer in the world which can quantify brilliance. And Buttler is unequivocally brilliant

According to the International Cricket Council rankings, Jos Buttler is the 14th best one-day international batsman in the world.

It’s okay. You’re allowed to laugh. The notion was blatantly absurd even prior to this latest tour de force from the smiling son of Somerset, a gunslinging crackerjack of an innings which left the Ageas Bowl crowd buzzing and some of the country’s most established commentators comparing England’s wicketkeeper to the greatest white-ball players of all time.

While the ICC’s rankings algorithm is proudly objective, based as it is on a series of complex calculations and a “sophisticated moving average”, there is not a computer in the world which can quantify brilliance.

And Buttler is unequivocally brilliant.

No one comes close in terms of strike rate in the final 10 overs of an innings. Since the last World Cup, he hits at better than 180 per 100 balls. Glenn Maxwell, of Australia, is next on the list in the low-160s. Everyone else goes at less than 140 per 100.

As leads go, it is the equivalent of peak-era Tiger Woods on the fourth morning of a major; dominant, devastating and totally in control.

^{Jos Buttler in full flow on Saturday}

And that is one of the most remarkable aspects of watching Buttler in this sort of form. He never appears to be forcing his innings. Yes, he is blessed with natural power but much of his hitting ability comes from that smooth swing, timed precisely to maximise damage.

The runs come so very naturally - painfully naturally if you are among the opposition - and given the chance to face 50 balls, as was the case here, he will change the complexion of an innings.

When he joined Eoin Morgan at the wicket with less than 15 overs remaining, for example, England were 211 for three. Reasonably placed, you might think, for a stab at 350. They finished with their seventh highest ODI total.

This is what Buttler does.

In four of the six bigger scores managed by England teams down the years, Buttler has played a substantial role - 150 of 418 against West Indies in February; 129 of 408 against New Zealand in 2015, 105 in 399 against South Africa in 2016 and an unbeaten 90 in 444 against Australia 12 months ago.

Coincidence does not come into it.

Yasir Shah can be credited for welcoming England’s No.5 to the crease with a lunchtime buffet of rank long-hops, but from there on in this run feast was all of Buttler’s making.

^{Buttler celebrates with a nod to his baby girl}

A ramp off Faheem Ashraf, two cross-batted sixes over midwicket to tame Shaheen Afridi, an absurd back-foot slap to the point boundary to reach his half-century; it was yet another exhibition of 360-degree batting.

If his first fifty was bruising, his second ought to be under investigation for GBH. It took 18 balls for Buttler to motor on to three figures - his second fastest century for England and the equal 10th fastest in all ODI cricket - with innovation being swapped for clean striking through the line of the ball.

Pakistan might not have helped themselves a great deal by finding the slot like Las Vegas veterans, but Buttler still had to clear the ropes on the not inconsiderable playing area at the Ageas Bowl.

He did so with ridiculous ease, launching his way to his hundred with a hard-handed clout over long-off and marking the occasion with a tribute to his new-born child, who was watching her daddy in action for the first time.

Rockabye baby, what a great knock.