England have been forced to adjust their line‑up for the third One‑Day International against Sri Lanka after wicket‑keeper‑batsman Jos Buttler was ruled out with a hamstring problem. The injury, which was sustained during the second ODI at Headingley, means the England management have called up Surrey all‑rounder Dan Lawrence as a replacement.
Lawrence will be pulled from Surrey's County Championship clash with Somerset and will join the England camp at The Oval for a training session on Saturday morning, according to an official statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board. The ECB spokesperson explained: "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 was brief but clear – England have lost a key figure in their batting order and will need to re‑configure their strategy for the series‑deciding match.
The second ODI at Headingley was a tightly contested affair. Sri Lanka, fighting hard, managed to restrict the hosts and clinch a 16‑run victory, leveling the three‑match series at one win each. Buttler had been instrumental in England's chase, steering the side to a promising position before the injury forced him to retire hurt in the 38th over with the score at 254 for four.
After a brief pause, he returned to the crease in the 48th over, determined to see the chase through. Despite the pain, he produced a fighting 69 runs before finally being dismissed.
His innings had seemed to set the tone for a possible English win, but the hamstring strain ended his participation in the series. Other wickets that fell in the second match included Will Jacks, who contributed a quick‑fire 52, Rehan Ahmed, who was dismissed for a duck, Gus Atkinson with 16, and Jamie Overton who managed just two runs.
From the 37th over onward England's scoring rate slowed dramatically – only a solitary four and a six were struck as Sri Lanka's bowlers tightened their lines and lengths, applying relentless pressure that ultimately secured the win for the visitors. With the series now tied 1‑1, the third ODI becomes a true decider.
England will have to regroup quickly, integrating Dan Lawrence into the side and reshuffling the batting order to cover the void left by Buttler. Lawrence, a right‑handed batsman who has shown solid technique in the County Championship, will likely be slotted into the middle order, offering stability and the ability to accelerate if required. His inclusion also gives England an extra option in the field, as he is a competent fielder and can contribute with the ball in a part‑time capacity if the situation demands. The loss of Buttler is more than just a missing batsman; he is also England's primary wicket‑keeper and a dynamic finisher, capable of turning games in the final overs with his power hitting.
His absence will place additional responsibility on the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett to handle the gloves, while the batting line‑up will need to find another player who can finish matches with the same flair. The coaching staff will likely look to experienced campaigners such as Joe Root and Ben Stokes to anchor the innings and guide younger players through the pressure of a series‑level match. Beyond the immediate tactical adjustments, Buttler's injury highlights the physical toll that back‑to‑back ODIs can take on elite athletes.
Hamstring strains are common in cricket, especially for players who sprint between the wickets and field aggressively. The England medical team will be conducting further assessments to determine the severity of the injury and the expected recovery timeline. Should Buttler be unavailable for the remainder of the series, he may also miss the upcoming tri‑series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where England will again need a reliable finisher.
Fans looking to follow the action can tune into Sky Sports, which will broadcast the match live across the UK and Ireland. The game is scheduled for Sunday, and all times are listed in local UK time. For those accessing the coverage online, the platform recommends using the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. In related cricket news, Lhuandre Pretorius recently smashed an unbeaten 188, surpassing Chris Gayle's long‑standing record for the highest individual score in a T20 match.
Meanwhile, the upcoming 2027 Cricket World Cup fixtures have been released, showing England will avoid both Australia and India in the group stage of the 50‑over tournament. Off the field, England fast bowler Brydon Carse faced disciplinary action from the Cricket Regulator after an incident at a nightclub, underscoring the importance of professional conduct. As the series reaches its climax, the English side must demonstrate resilience and adaptability.
The loss of a star player like Buttler is a setback, but it also presents an opportunity for other squad members to step up and make a decisive impact. With the series balanced at 1‑1, the third ODI promises to be a thrilling encounter, and England will be eager to secure the win and take the series lead heading into future fixtures.