Jos Buttler will not be available for England's third One-Day International against Sri Lanka after sustaining a hamstring problem in the previous match, prompting the selectors to call up Surrey all‑rounder Dan Lawrence as his replacement. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed that Lawrence has been drafted into the squad for the Sunday fixture at The Oval, while Buttler will undergo further medical assessment following the injury he suffered during the second ODI at Headingley on Thursday.
According to an ECB spokesperson, "Surrey batsman Dan Lawrence has been called into the England Men's squad for Sunday's third Metro Bank ODI against Sri Lanka. Jos Buttler has been ruled out due to the hamstring injury he suffered in the second Metro Bank ODI at Headingley last night and will undergo further assessment." Lawrence will miss Surrey's County Championship clash with Somerset in order to join the national side for a training session on Saturday morning at The Oval.
The second ODI had been a tightly contested affair. Sri Lanka fought back fiercely to stop England's chase and ultimately secured a 16‑run victory at Headingley, which levelled the three‑match series at one win each. Buttler had been the linchpin of England's batting effort, but his hamstring began to act up in the 38th over when England were 254 for 4.
He initially retired hurt, returned to the crease in the 48th over in a desperate attempt to steer the chase, and managed to add 69 runs before being dismissed. His contribution, however, was not enough to prevent the hosts from falling short. The innings also saw contributions from Will Jacks, who made 52, Rehan Ahmed, who was out for a duck, Gus Atkinson with 16, and Jamie Overton adding just two runs.
After the 37th over, England's scoring rate dwindled dramatically, with only a single boundary and a six coming from the bat, as Sri Lankan bowlers tightened their lines and lengths, applying relentless pressure that eventually saw the visitors clinch the win. With the series now poised at 1‑1, England must regroup quickly for the decisive third match without their premier wicket‑keeper‑batsman. The loss of Buttler, who had been central to the second‑innings chase, leaves a notable gap in both the batting order and the team's leadership on the field.
Dan Lawrence, who has been performing well for Surrey in the County Championship, will be expected to fill the opening slot and provide stability in the top order. His inclusion also means Surrey will have to reshuffle its lineup for the County Championship fixture against Somerset, as Lawrence is withdrawn to join the national set‑up.
The upcoming ODI will be crucial for England, who will need to adapt their game plan and find new ways to accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs. Sri Lanka, buoyed by their recent win, will look to maintain the pressure and exploit any weakness left by Buttler's absence.
Both sides have shown the ability to produce high‑quality cricket, and the final match promises to be a tightly contested encounter that could swing either way. Beyond the immediate series, the injury raises questions about England's depth in the limited‑overs format.
While Lawrence offers a promising alternative, the team will also be looking at other potential replacements should further injuries arise. The coaching staff will likely emphasize the importance of managing player workloads, especially given the compressed schedule of the series and the physical demands of back‑to‑back ODIs.
Fans can follow the live action on Sky Sports, with all times listed in UK and Ireland time zones. Additional highlights from the series, such as the dramatic catch by Marco Jansen for South Africa against Australia and Kevin Pietersen's comments about his evolving role with England ahead of the Ashes, were also featured in related coverage. The cricketing community awaits the final showdown, hoping for an exciting conclusion to a series that has already delivered memorable moments and showcased the resilience of both teams.