Jos Buttler has revealed that he still feels gutted over a now-forgotten run-out in one of England's most iconic Test wins: the iconic Headingley Test from the 2019 Ashes series.
Chasing 359 in the fourth innings, Buttler joined Ben Stokes at the crease with England 245 for 5. But a mixup led to him being run out for just one.
Stokes then went on to script one of the greatest finishes in Test history, guiding England to a miraculous one-wicket win with Jack Leach at the other end.
The pair added an unforgettable 76 runs for the final wicket against Australia. Stokes, though, did much of the scoring in that partnership, on the way to an unbeaten 135-run inning in Leeds.
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Speaking on the For the Love of Cricket podcast alongside former teammate Stuart Broad, Buttler recalled the incident from the third Test against the Aussies.
Jos Buttler on the runout he will never forget
When asked by Stuart Broad about his most frustrating run-out, Buttler didn’t hesitate.
"The one I'm most gutted about is when Ben Stokes ran me out at Headingley," Buttler said. "Part of his amazing rescue act."
Buttler pointed to the 2019 Headingley Test, where a mix-up with Ben Stokes cost him his wicket. Before he was dismissed, England were 253 for 5, needing under 100 runs to win but with only five wickets remaining.
"If he didn’t run me out there, it could have been me. Hopefully I would have scored more, I was thinking 150. Ben Stokes got that. But yeah, that run-out there that no one will ever remember."
Buttler explained that the dismissal came off a Nathan Lyon delivery when Stokes nudged it to the leg side and called for a quick single. Travis Head swooped in from midwicket and hit the stumps directly with an underarm throw. Buttler was well short.
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"I knew there was no way I was getting back in. I needed him to miss the stumps," he said.
Stokes did not forget the incident after the memorable win either and was quick to express remorse. "The first thing he said to me was, 'Oh my god, I'm so sorry for running you out,'" he added.
Buttler recalled the incident with awe and humour, watching Stokes script a once-in-a-generation win while still remembering the mix-up in the middle that appeared insignificant in the end.
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When is the 2025/26 Ashes Test series starting?
The 2025/26 season's Ashes will be played over 48 days, starting November 21, 2025, in Perth. They will be followed by the Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Check: Full 2025/26 Ashes schedule for Australia vs England Test series