Sri Lanka displayed a fierce determination to stop England’s chase and secure a 16‑run win, leveling the three‑match One‑Day International series at 1‑1 after the showdown at Headingley in Leeds. The encounter was a roller‑coaster of drama, epitomised by Jos Buttler’s innings.
Initially, Buttler seemed poised to be the match‑winner, but in the 38th over he was forced to retire hurt after pulling up with what looked like a hamstring problem while England were cruising at 254‑4. Despite the injury, Buttler returned to the crease in the 48th over, but could manage only two additional runs before being dismissed. England’s middle order crumbled thereafter, with Will Jacks (52), Rehan Ahmed (0), Gus Atkinson (16) and Jamie Overton (2) all falling as the chase stalled.
From the 37th over onward, the English side managed just a solitary boundary and a six, underscoring how quickly the momentum shifted. The Sri Lankan comeback was remarkable, especially after England had built a solid platform thanks to Ben Duckett’s 67 and Tom Banton’s 73. The hosts seemed on track for a massive total, but disciplined bowling from Dunith Wellalage – who finished with figures of 3‑49 – proved decisive.
Complementing his spell, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis produced a sensational 121, anchoring the innings and steering his side to a competitive total. When Sri Lanka posted 321‑5, England entered the chase with optimism. The target of 322 appeared achievable, particularly after the explosive opening partnership that saw England race past 50 runs in just six overs and reach 82‑0 after ten overs – their highest ever ODI Powerplay score against Sri Lanka.
Duckett celebrated his tenth ODI fifty in the 12th over, and Banton followed with his second fifty in the 15th, both batting with confidence and setting the tone for what looked like a dominant performance. However, the turning point arrived when Wellalage began to dismantle England’s batting line‑up. His first wicket came when he trapped Duckett, who had been cruising, and shortly after he removed Banton, catching him out of his crease.
Two overs later, Sri Lankan captain Harry Brook (who had scored just a single run) was given out leg‑before‑wicket, a decision that survived a review, leaving England at 157‑3 with 165 runs still required. Sachindu Colombage added to England’s woes by dismissing Joe Root for 17. Although the English side managed to cross the 200‑run mark, they still faced a long road ahead with 21 overs remaining. At this stage, Buttler arrived at the crease, immediately adopting an aggressive approach and reaching his 46th ODI half‑century off just 36 balls.
His innings seemed to revive England’s hopes, but misfortune struck again when he suffered a hamstring strain while running between the wickets, prompting his retirement hurt. Will Jacks attempted to steady the ship, reaching his own fifty, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened their grip. The death overs saw England lose Ahmed, Atkinson and Overton in quick succession as the Sri Lankan attack, buoyed by Wellalage’s earlier breakthroughs, took full control. Buttler, despite limping, returned for a final rescue attempt in the 50th over, but could only add two runs before being caught by Kamindu Mendis, ending his innings for a second time.
The match then boiled down to the final over, with Jofra Archer (0 not out) and Josh Tongue (1 not out) needing 19 runs. They managed just three, handing Sri Lanka a hard‑fought victory that showcased character and resilience. Sri Lanka’s innings began after winning the toss and electing to bat on a firm Headingley pitch. Pathum Nissanka fell for 25 on the final ball of the ninth over, but the side was 46‑1 at the close of the Powerplay.
The partnership between Kamindu Mendis (54) and captain Kusal Mendis (121) then flourished, propelling Sri Lanka past the 100‑run mark in the 20th over. Kusal Mendis reached his half‑century in the 23rd over with a towering six, and Kamindu soon recorded his fourth ODI fifty, scoring 56 balls. England’s spin options – Rehan Ahmed (2‑48), Will Jacks (0‑33) – and seam bowler Josh Tongue (0‑55) struggled to contain the flow of runs.
England finally broke through in the 30th over when Harry Brook caught Kamindu on the boundary. Undeterred, Kusal Mendis continued to build, reaching his century in just 82 balls during the 31st over, his milestone secured after a successful review overturned an initial caught‑behind decision. This was the Sri Lankan captain’s seventh ODI hundred, featuring 12 fours and three sixes.
His dismissal came in the 36th over while attempting another boundary, with Banton taking the catch to leave Sri Lanka at 222‑3. The lower order contributed valuable runs: Charith Asalanka added 11, Pavan Rathnayake 47, Janith Liyanage 32, and Wellalage an unbeaten 16, while Sachindu Colombage chipped in three not out.
Their combined effort pushed the total to 321‑5, a score sufficient to level the series. Post‑match, Kusal Mendis, who was also named player of the match, expressed his delight: "I'm so happy winning and getting the hundred. The overall performance was very good. We started really well and the middle order batted really well.
Nothing special, basic cricket and I was very happy with 320, we wanted more than 300 on this pitch. Wellalage bowled really well, the whole team, after the powerplay.
The guys gave 100 per cent. Today is finished and now we have to focus on the next game and do the basics right." England captain Harry Brook reflected on the defeat: "It was an outstanding game. You can look back and dwell on many different areas but that is not what this team does, we go back to the drawing board and get ready for The Oval.
We put up a really good fight with the ball. To restrict them to 320 and have the chance to chase that down was a hell of an effort. The lads got the chase off to a flyer. You couldn't really ask for much more.
We probably stalled in the middle period and lost a few too many wickets, but the fight we showed was great. We've got a great opportunity now to try and win this series, and a great opportunity for 12 months' time. In pressure situations, like the one that awaits us at The Oval, it will be great to see where we are as a team." The series now heads to The Kia Oval on Sunday, September 27, with the first ball scheduled for 10:30 am, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Both sides will look to fine‑tune their strategies: England hoping to recover from the setback and avoid a series loss, and Sri Lanka aiming to capitalize on the momentum and possibly clinch the series. The upcoming match promises high stakes, intense competition, and the chance for players to rewrite the narrative after a dramatic encounter at Headingley.