Jos Buttler will miss 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 (ECB) confirmed that Lawrence has been added to the squad for the Sunday fixture, and that Buttler will undergo further medical assessment before any decision on his return can be made. According to the ECB spokesperson, "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." Lawrence has consequently been withdrawn from Surrey's County Championship clash with Somerset, and he will join the England camp at The Oval for a training session on Saturday morning. The injury to Buttler comes at a crucial juncture in the three‑match series. In the second ODI at Headingley, Sri Lanka put up a spirited fight, restricting England's chase and ultimately winning by 16 runs. The victory leveled the series at 1‑1 and set up a decisive third game.
Buttler had been the linchpin of England's batting effort in that match. After a solid start, he was forced to retire hurt in the 38th over with the score at 254 for 4, only to return ten overs later in a desperate attempt to steer the side home.
Despite the pain, he managed to add 69 runs before being dismissed, showcasing his determination and skill under pressure. England's middle order also faltered as the innings progressed. Will Jacks contributed 52 runs, while Rehan Ahmed was dismissed without scoring, Gus Atkinson added 16, and Jamie Overton managed just 2.
From the 37th over onward, England managed only a single boundary and a solitary six as Sri Lankan bowlers tightened their lines and lengths, eventually clinching a hard‑fought win. The absence of Buttler for the final ODI forces England to rethink their batting strategy.
Lawrence, who has been a reliable run‑scorer for Surrey in the County Championship, brings a left‑handed option and a calm temperament to the middle order. His inclusion also means that England will need to adjust the opening partnership, as Buttler often bats at the top or in the one‑down position, providing aggressive intent and finishing ability. Beyond the immediate series, Buttler's injury raises broader questions about England's depth in limited‑overs cricket. The wicket‑keeper‑batsman has been a cornerstone of the side’s success in recent years, contributing both with the bat and behind the stumps.
His ability to accelerate the innings in the death overs and to finish matches has been a hallmark of England's ODI strategy. Without him, the team will rely on other experienced hands such as Jonny Bairstow, who can open, and the emerging talent of Harry Brook, who has shown promise in the shorter formats. The series itself has been a showcase of competitive cricket. Sri Lanka, under the captaincy of Kusal Mendis, displayed resilience and tactical acumen, especially in the second match where their bowlers executed disciplined lines and varied their pace to frustrate the English batsmen.
Their victory at Headingley was built on a combination of tight fielding, strategic use of spin, and effective death‑over bowling, which limited England's scoring opportunities after the 30‑over mark. Looking ahead, England will need to regroup quickly.
The coaching staff, led by head coach Brendon McCullum, will likely focus on reinforcing the top order and ensuring that the replacement players understand their roles. Training sessions at The Oval will be crucial for Lawrence to acclimatise to the international environment, and for the rest of the squad to fine‑tune their batting plans against Sri Lankan bowlers such as Lasith Malinga’s younger counterpart, Maheesh Theekshana, and the experienced left‑arm pacer, Lahiru Kumara. Fans can follow the live coverage of the match on Sky Sports, with all times listed in UK and Ireland schedules.
The third ODI promises to be a tightly contested encounter, as both sides will be eager to claim series victory. England will aim to compensate for Buttler's absence by playing a more collective brand of cricket, while Sri Lanka will look to replicate the disciplined performance that earned them the second‑match win. In addition to the ongoing series, cricket enthusiasts have been treated to a flurry of other notable events: the Indian T20 side defeated Pakistan to capture the Asian Games gold medal, while England's Shai Hope produced a monumental unbeaten 162 in a separate ODI series against the West Indies, preventing a clean sweep.
Meanwhile, records continue to tumble, with Lhuandré Pretorius' unbeaten 188 surpassing Chris Gayle's long‑standing T20 highest‑score record. The cricket calendar also includes the upcoming 2027 Cricket World Cup, where England will avoid both Australia and India in the group stage, as revealed in the newly published fixtures. Overall, the third ODI will be a test of England's adaptability and depth. With Dan Lawrence stepping in, the team hopes to maintain momentum and secure a series win despite the setback to one of its star players.
The outcome will not only determine the series result but also provide insights into the bench strength and future prospects of English limited‑overs cricket.