Jos Buttler has been forced to sit out England's third One Day International against Sri Lanka after sustaining a hamstring problem in the previous match, prompting the England selectors to call up Surrey all‑rounder Dan Lawrence as his replacement. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Lawrence has been added to the squad for the Sunday fixture, while Buttler will undergo further medical evaluation to determine the extent of his injury.
According to an official statement from the ECB, "Surrey batter 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 [Thursday] and will undergo further assessment." The announcement also noted that Lawrence has been withdrawn from Surrey's County Championship match against Somerset so that he can join the England camp and train at The Oval on Saturday morning.
The decision comes after a dramatic second ODI at Headingley, where Sri Lanka fought back fiercely to halt England's chase and claim a 16‑run victory, leveling the three‑match series at one win each. In that contest, Buttler played a pivotal role in England's batting effort before the injury forced him to leave the field. He had been steering the innings confidently, reaching 69 runs before being dismissed.
His innings was interrupted when he pulled up with a hamstring strain in the 38th over while England were 254 for 4. Although he attempted a brief comeback in the 48th over, the pain persisted and he ultimately could not continue, leaving the team without its premier finisher for the decisive third game. The loss of Buttler is a significant blow for England, as he had been the central figure in the chase, providing both firepower and composure. His ability to accelerate in the final overs is something the side will miss, especially against a Sri Lankan bowling attack that proved adept at applying pressure in the latter stages of the second match.
In that game, other English batsmen such as Will Jacks (who contributed 52), Rehan Ahmed (who was out for a duck), Gus Atkinson (16) and Jamie Overton (2) also fell as the run chase faltered. From the 37th over onward, England managed only a single boundary and a solitary six, while Sri Lankan bowlers tightened their lines and lengths, ultimately sealing a hard‑fought win. Looking ahead to the third ODI, England will have to regroup quickly. Dan Lawrence, who has been a consistent performer for Surrey in the County Championship, will be thrust into the high‑pressure environment of an international decider.
Lawrence has been pulled from his county duties to train with the national side, giving him a chance to acclimatise to the team dynamics and the specific demands of the match at The Oval. His inclusion adds a left‑handed option in the middle order, and his experience in English conditions could prove valuable, though he will need to adapt swiftly to the intensity of an ODI final.
The series itself has been tightly contested. After Sri Lanka's win at Headingley, the series stands at 1‑1, meaning the third match will decide the overall winner. England will be looking to bounce back without their star wicket‑keeper‑batsman, while Sri Lanka will aim to maintain the momentum they generated in the second game.
Both sides have displayed strong performances with the ball and bat, and the upcoming match promises to be a showcase of tactical adjustments, especially in the bowling departments. England's bowlers will need to exploit any weaknesses in the Sri Lankan batting line‑up, while Sri Lanka will aim to keep England's lower order under pressure, aware that the absence of Buttler reduces the threat of a late‑innings surge. Beyond the immediate series, the broader cricket calendar continues to build excitement.
The 2027 Cricket World Cup schedule has been released, revealing that England will avoid both Australia and India in the group stage of the 50‑over tournament, a detail that has generated considerable discussion among fans and analysts. Meanwhile, other international fixtures are also capturing attention, such as the ongoing ODI tri‑series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England, where England have recalled fit‑again players Adil Rashid and Sam Curran while giving Jofra Archer a rest. For viewers in the UK and Ireland, all matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for the best video player experience.
Additional cricket content, including live scores, highlights, and detailed scorecards, remains readily available across various platforms, ensuring that supporters can stay up‑to‑date with every development. In summary, the third ODI will be a test of England's depth and adaptability after the loss of Jos Buttler. Dan Lawrence's call‑up offers a fresh opportunity for the Surrey star to make his mark on the international stage, while the Sri Lankan side will look to capitalize on the momentum gained from their previous win. The match is set to be a tightly contested encounter, with both teams aware that a single mistake could swing the series in favour of the opposition.
Fans can anticipate a thrilling conclusion to the series, with the outcome likely to hinge on how well England can restructure their batting order and how effectively Sri Lanka can sustain the pressure they applied in the second ODI.