Jos Buttler's hamstring injury and a sparkling century from Kusal Mendis derailed England as Sri Lanka levelled the ODI series with a 16-run victory in the second one-day international at Headingley. The series now heads to a decider at the Oval on Sunday, which Buttler will miss.
England's chase falls short
Set 322 to win, England appeared on course to wrap up the series with a match to spare after a rapid-fire 143-run opening stand between Ben Duckett and Tom Banton. But Sri Lanka refused to give up, delivering a famous shutout and profiting from Buttler's injury to win by 16 runs.
Buttler had earlier pulled up with a hamstring problem on 66 when the equation was 68 to win off 75 balls. Re-emerging when this became 27 needed off 14, the 36-year-old was unable to run singles, watched Will Jacks hole out for 52, and then eventually perished himself in the final over.
Mendis stars for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's captain, Kusal Mendis, delivered a sparkling 121 from 100 balls, before Dunith Wellalage's three-wicket haul and a fine display of death bowling brought a run of four defeats on tour to a juddering halt. Mendis's innings featured 14 fours and three sixes, sealing his first international century on English soil.
One crucial chance came and went for England when a top-edge off Jamie Overton sent one high into the sky on 17, and Gus Atkinson misjudged the ball's trajectory in the deep, spilling it out of his hands. Atkinson was the pick of the England bowlers, finishing with two for 55 from his 10 overs, while Rehan Ahmed picked up two for 48 from eight overs.
England's collapse
When it was Sri Lanka's turn in the field, Duckett and Banton tucked into some wayward new-ball bowling. But the introduction of Wellalage's left-arm spin induced a collapse of three for 14 in 23 balls. Duckett was bowled through the gate for 67, Banton was stumped for 73, and Brook was pinned lbw for one on review. When Joe Root chipped Sachindu Colombage to cover for 15, England were suddenly 203 for four in the 29th over.
Buttler responded in incendiary fashion, but when his hamstring popped and was followed by Ahmed gloving behind for a five-ball duck, Sri Lanka believed once more. An excellent display of yorkers from their quicks that starved England's lower order of boundaries proved the difference.
"It is always disappointing when you lose," said Harry Brook, having seen England stumble to 305 for nine. "I thought Sri Lanka played exceptionally well, especially the last 10-15 overs. They were electric in the field. They nailed every ball."
