Cricket news: Jos Buttler injury derails England as Sri Lanka level ODI series at Headingley

Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday to level the three-match ODI series at 1-1.

The visitors had posted 321-6 in their allotted overs, mainly off the back of captain Kusal Mendis’ brilliant 121 off just 100 balls, before England’s chase got off to the perfect start thanks to Ben Duckett (67 off 63) and Tom Banton (73 off 62).

But an injury to Jos Buttler, who was looking threatening for the hosts on 67 off 45, disrupted the momentum and Sri Lanka capitalised superbly, with Dunith Wellalage (3-49) and Eshan Malinga (2-50) the pick of the bowlers.

The series now heads to the Kia Oval in London for the third and final clash, with play getting underway at 10:30am UK time on Sunday, September 27.

Mendis praises team effort

After the victory, player of the match Mendis told Sky Sports: “I’m so happy winning and getting the hundred. The overall performance was very good.

“We started really well and the middle order batted really well. Nothing special, basic cricket and I was very happy with 320 – we wanted more than 300 on this pitch.

“Wellalage bowled really well, the whole team after the powerplay. The guys gave 100 per cent.

“Now we have to focus on the next game and do the basics right.”

READ MORE: South Africa vs Australia preview: Everything you need to know about the Perth Test

Brook calls for response

England captain Harry Brook, meanwhile, said: “It was an outstanding game.

“You can look back and dwell on some different areas, but that is not what this team does – we go back to the drawing board and get ready for the Oval.

“We put up a really good fight with the ball. To restrict them to 320 and have the chance to chase that down was a hell of an effort.

“The lads got the chase off to a flyer. You couldn’t really ask for much more. We probably stalled in that middle period and lost a few too many wickets, but the fight we showed was great.

“We’ve got a great opportunity now to try and win this series and a great opportunity for 12 months’ time [the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa].

“In pressure situations, like the one that awaits us at the Oval, it will be great to see where we are as a team.”

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