Sri Lanka Beats England by 16 Runs to Level ODI Series

Sri Lanka defeated England by 16 runs in the second ODI at Headingley, leveling the three-match series at 1-1. Kusal Mendis' 121 and Dunith Wellalage's three wickets proved decisive, while Jos Buttler's hamstring injury halted England's chase despite his 69 runs. A series decider awaits at The Oval on Sunday.

Quick Facts

Second one-day international cricket match
Sri Lanka won by 16 runs
Kusal Mendis scored 121 runs
Dunith Wellalage took 3 wickets
Jos Buttler retired hurt with hamstring injury

Sri Lanka defeated England by 16 runs in the second one-day international at Headingley on Thursday, leveling the three-match series at 1-1 and setting up a decider at The Oval on Sunday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted 321-6 in 50 overs. Captain Kusal Mendis led from the front with a commanding 121 off 100 balls, featuring 14 fours and three sixes. His partnership with Kamindu Mendis (54) yielded 137 runs for the second wicket. Supporting contributions came from Pavan Rathnayake (48) and Janith Liyanage (32). England's bowlers Jofra Archer and Rehan Ahmed took wickets but conceded runs freely, with Ahmed finishing with 2-48.

England's chase began impressively. Tom Banton (73) and Ben Duckett (67) shared an opening stand of 143 runs, putting England on course for a comfortable victory. However, left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage turned the match decisively, removing both openers and captain Harry Brook (dismissed lbw for 1) to reduce England to 157-3. Jos Buttler then accelerated with aggressive batting, hitting five sixes off Sri Lanka's spinners and reaching 69 before retiring hurt with a left hamstring issue on 67, with England requiring 68 from 75 balls.

After Buttler's departure, England's momentum evaporated. Rehan Ahmed fell for a duck to Dilshan Madushanka, and despite Will Jacks' 52, Sri Lanka's seamers exploited reverse swing with the aging ball. Buttler briefly returned while injured but managed only two additional runs before being caught at deep midwicket off the final over's fourth ball. England finished 305-9, falling short by 16 runs. Wellalage claimed 3-49, proving decisive in the final stages.

Sri Lanka's victory provided a morale boost after suffering a 3-0 whitewash in the preceding T20 series and a 89-run loss in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street. England, building towards next year's 50-over World Cup, now face a high-stakes series decider at The Oval on Sunday.

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Sports World Cup

#series leveled #Headingley #cricket #last-over thriller #Sri Lanka #England #one-day international #ODI #hamstring injury #Dunith Wellalage

Entities

Why This Matters

Sri Lanka's 16-run victory at Headingley levels the three-match ODI series at 1-1, creating a high-stakes decider at The Oval on 23 June. Jos Buttler's retirement hurt (left hamstring injury) introduces a potential availability question for England's remaining matches and wider World Cup preparation. The result follows Sri Lanka's prior 89-run loss in the first ODI and marks a reversal of momentum after England's 3-0 T20 whitewash; the final match will determine series ownership and immediate team confidence heading into bilateral preparations.

Timeline & Sources

Sep 22, 2026

Wire

England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs in first ODI at Chester-le-Street

Sep 24, 2026

Wire

Second ODI at Headingley: Sri Lanka wins toss and bats first

Sep 28, 2026

Wire

Series decider scheduled at The Oval, London

Sep 28, 2026

Wire

Series decider at The Oval, London