Jos Buttler has been ruled out of England's third One-Day International against Sri Lanka, prompting the inclusion of Surrey batsman Dan Lawrence in the squad. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that Lawrence will replace the injured wicket‑keeper‑batsman for the upcoming match at The Oval on Sunday. According to an 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 Lawrence has been withdrawn from Surrey's County Championship fixture against Somerset so that he can join the England camp and train at The Oval on Saturday morning.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 snatch a 16‑run victory, leveling the three‑match series at 1‑1. In that game, Buttler had been the linchpin of England's chase. He was cruising toward a match‑winning partnership when a hamstring problem forced him to retire hurt in the 38th over with England at 254 for 4.
Determined to help his side, he returned to the crease in the 48th over, attempting a final rescue. Despite the pain, he managed to add 69 runs before finally being dismissed, showcasing his resilience and skill under pressure. England's innings, however, began to unravel after Buttler's injury.
Will Jacks contributed 52 runs, while Rehan Ahmed was dismissed without scoring, Gus Atkinson added 16, and Jamie Overton managed only 2 runs. From the 37th over onward, England's scoring rate dropped dramatically, with just a single boundary and a six, as Sri Lanka's bowlers tightened their lines and lengths, applying relentless pressure that ultimately secured a hard‑fought win for the visitors. The loss of Buttler is a significant blow for England ahead of the series decider.
As the team's primary finisher and a dynamic presence both behind the stumps and in the middle order, his absence forces the side to rethink its strategy. Dan Lawrence, who has been a consistent performer for Surrey, will now be tasked with filling the void. He was pulled from his county duties to train with the national side, giving him an opportunity to integrate quickly into the England setup and potentially contribute with the bat in the crucial final match.
Beyond the immediate series, the cricketing calendar is packed with other notable events. Recent headlines include India's T20 side defeating Pakistan to claim the Asian Games gold medal, while the senior ODI team missed out on a series sweep of the West Indies after Shai Hope's unbeaten 162. In South Africa, Lhuan‑dre Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 188, eclipsing Chris Gayle's record for the highest individual T20 score. Looking ahead to the future, the 2027 Cricket World Cup fixtures have been released, revealing that England will avoid both Australia and India in the group stage of the 50‑over tournament.
Additionally, England pacer Brydon Carse faces a charge from the Cricket Regulator following an incident at a nightclub. For fans eager to follow live action, Sky Sports continues to broadcast all England matches, with times listed in UK and Ireland local time. The upcoming third ODI will be the decisive encounter, and England will need to regroup quickly, adapt to the loss of their star finisher, and find new ways to chase down the target set by Sri Lanka.
The team will rely on the experience of senior players and the fresh energy of newcomers like Lawrence to mount a competitive response. In summary, Jos Buttler's hamstring injury sustained during the second ODI has sidelined him for the series finale, leading to Dan Lawrence's call‑up to the England squad. The hosts must now reorganize their batting order and game plan to contend with a motivated Sri Lankan side that has already demonstrated the ability to chase down challenging totals.
The outcome of the third ODI will not only decide the series but also provide insight into England's depth and resilience when faced with the loss of a key player.