Sri Lanka displayed remarkable resilience at Headingley, stopping England’s chase and securing a 16‑run win that leveled the three‑match One‑Day International series at one‑all. The match was a roller‑coaster, largely defined by Jos Buttler’s innings. The English captain seemed poised to be the decisive factor, but in the 38th over he was forced to retire hurt after a painful hamstring pull, leaving England at 254‑4. Even though Buttler tried to limp back onto the field in the 48th over, he managed only two additional runs before being dismissed for a second time.
The English batting line‑up then collapsed further as Will Jacks (52), Rehan Ahmed (0), Gus Atkinson (16) and Jamie Overton (2) fell one after another, and the run‑rate dwindled dramatically after the 37th over, with just a solitary four and a six to show for the remaining overs. The Sri Lankan comeback was all the more striking after England had built a solid platform thanks to Ben Duckett’s 67 and Tom Banton’s 73.
The visitors’ early on‑slaught seemed unstoppable until the spin of Dunith Wellalage, who claimed three wickets for 49 runs, turned the tide. His spell, combined with an inspiring 121‑run knock from Sri Lanka’s skipper Kusal Mendis, proved decisive. When Sri Lanka posted a target of 322, England entered the chase with confidence. The opening partnership surged past 50 in just six overs and reached 82‑0 after ten overs, marking the highest ever Powerplay total that England has ever recorded against Sri Lanka in an ODI.
Duckett celebrated his tenth ODI fifty in the 12th over, and Banton followed with his second fifty in the 15th, both batting aggressively and putting England firmly in control. However, the breakthrough came when Wellalage began to find his rhythm. He dismissed Duckett for 67 with a clever delivery that trapped Banton out of his crease. Two overs later, Sri Lankan captain Harry Brook was given out lbw after a review confirmed the decision, leaving England at 157‑3 with 165 runs still required.
Sachindu Colombage then removed Joe Root for 17, further tightening the noose. Even after crossing the 200‑run mark, England still needed a sustained push with 21 overs left. Buttler arrived at the crease and immediately attacked, reaching his 46th ODI half‑century off just 36 balls.
Yet his momentum was halted when a hamstring strain forced him to retire hurt while running between the wickets. Jacks attempted to steady the innings, reaching his own fifty, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling tightened the scoring rate.
Ahmed, Atkinson and Overton fell in quick succession as the death overs took hold. In a desperate final effort, Buttler returned to the field, but could add only two more runs before Kamindu Mendis claimed a catch to dismiss him for the second time at the start of the 50th over.
The pressure then fell on Jofra Archer (0) and Josh Tongue (1) who needed 19 runs from the last over. They managed just three, handing Sri Lanka a hard‑won victory that highlighted their character and depth. Sri Lanka’s innings began with a solid start after winning the toss and choosing to bat on a firm Headingley pitch. Pathum Nissanka was the first wicket to fall at the end of the ninth over, but the hosts were 46‑1 at the close of the Powerplay.
A partnership between Kamindu Mendis (54) and captain Kusal Mendis (121) then flourished, taking the side past 100 in the 20th over. Mendis reached his half‑century in the 23rd over with a massive six, and Kamindu soon celebrated his own fifty off 56 balls. England’s spinners – Rehan Ahmed (2‑48), Will Jacks (0‑33) and Josh Tongue (0‑55) – were under pressure as the Sri Lankan pair continued to dominate.
The breakthrough finally came in the 30th over when Harry Brook caught Kamindu on the boundary. Undeterred, Kusal Mendis pressed on, reaching his century in just 82 balls in the 31st over after a successful review saved his wicket. This was his seventh ODI hundred, comprising 12 fours and three sixes, and it underscored his mastery of the conditions.
Mendis was eventually dismissed in the 36th over while attempting another boundary, caught by Banton in the deep, leaving Sri Lanka at 222‑3. The lower order – Charith Asalanka (11), Pavan Rathnayake (47), Janith Liyanage (32), Wellalage (16*), and Sachindu Colombage (3*) – added valuable runs, pushing the total to 321‑5, a score sufficient to level the series. Post‑match, Sri Lankan captain and player‑of‑the‑match Kusal Mendis reflected: "I’m thrilled to have scored a hundred.
The team performed exceptionally well. We started strongly, the middle order contributed solidly, and we posted a competitive 320‑plus total on this pitch. Wellalage bowled brilliantly after the Powerplay, and everyone gave 100 percent. Now we focus on the next game and stick to the basics." England captain Harry Brook acknowledged the effort: "It was a fantastic game.
We’ll review the details later, but the team moves forward to the Oval. Restricting them to 320 and having a realistic chase was a massive effort.
The top order gave us a flying start, but we lost momentum in the middle overs and dropped too many wickets. The fight we showed was commendable, and we have a great chance to win the series at The Oval and beyond." The series now heads to The Kia Oval on Sunday, 27 September, with the first ball scheduled for 10:30 am, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
All times are UK and Ireland.