A century from Kusal Mendis and three-wicket haul from Dunith Wellalage helped Sri Lanka register its first win of the England tour and level the series 1-1 in the second ODI at Headingley, Leeds on Thursday.
England scored 305-9 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 321-6 in a high-scoring clash in which Buttler looked to be taking England over the line before he hurt his hamstring.
He retired hurt on 67, but as Sri Lanka pulled itself back into the contest with key wickets, a limping Buttler came back to the crease, with England needing 20 runs off the last two overs.
He was, however, only able to add two more runs before being caught at deep mid-wicket, with his dismissal effectively ending home hopes.
England had needed only 63 runs off its last 10 overs to seal the series but was pinned back by the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Sri Lanka skipper Mendis won the toss and elected to bat, leading from the front as he scored 121 and shared a second-wicket partnership of 137 with Kamindu Mendis, who made 54.
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Kusal Mendis was dropped on 17 by Gus Atkinson at fine leg in an expensive slip off Jamie Overton’s bowling and had another life one run short of his century when he was given out caught behind off Overton but reviewed immediately and the TV umpire found there had been no nick.
He cover drove the next ball to complete a seventh ODI century.
Pavan Rathnayake added 48 off 39 balls before being run out, and Janith Liyanage contributed 32 before becoming Jofra Archer’s only wicket as the England paceman returned expensive figures of 1-65.
England’s reply began in impressive fashion. It took advantage of sub-standard Sri Lankan bowling, allowing Tom Banton and Ben Duckett to put together an opening stand of 143 inside the opening 20 overs.
But almost out of nowhere, left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage bowled Duckett (67) and had Banton stumped for 73 off 61 balls, before trapping captain Harry Brook for a single. He finished his 10 overs with figures of 3-49.
Buttler turned the tide in England’s favour again before his injury, but stretching to complete a run, he looked to suffer a torn muscle.
England won the first ODI by 89 runs at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, and the decider will be at The Oval in London on Sunday.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Published on Sep 25, 2026
