Buttler's hamstring injury caps England's loss as Sri Lanka level ODI series
England fell 16 runs short of Sri Lanka's 322 at Headingley after Jos Buttler retired hurt with a hamstring, leaving the series tied.
At Headingley, Sri Lanka edged England by 16 runs in the second ODI of the Metro Bank One-Day Series, bringing the series level. Kusal Mendis anchored the hosts’ total of 322 with a century, while England’s reply featured a 143 opening partnership and Jos Buttler’s 66* before a hamstring injury forced him to retire hurt. The loss of Buttler, coupled with Dunith Wellalage’s three-wicket burst, halted England’s momentum; they were eventually dismissed for 305.
Ben Duckett (67) and Tom Banton (73) added valuable runs, but wickets fell rapidly after Buttler’s exit. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, including Wellalage and Ehsan Malinga, maintained pressure, and the win sets up a winner-takes-all match at the Kia Oval on Sunday.
Why it matters
Buttler's injury deprives England of a series lead, making the upcoming final decisive.
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