Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs at Headingley to level ODI series 1-1

Sri Lanka build formidable total

Sri Lanka chose to bat first under sunny conditions at Headingley after winning the toss in the second one-day international on Thursday. The tourists sought their first victory on tour following a 3-0 sweep in the Twenty20 series and an 89-run defeat in the opening ODI at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, where they were bowled out for 176. Sri Lanka brought Eshan Malinga into the side to replace Dushmantha Chameera, while leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga remained unavailable for the rest of the tour with a back injury. England fielded an unchanged lineup with leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed retaining his place for the injured Adil Rashid.

Captain Kusal Mendis anchored the innings with 121 runs off 82 deliveries to complete his seventh ODI century. Mendis survived an early dropped catch on 17, when Gus Atkinson missed a two-handed chance off Jamie Overton in the wind, and later overturned an out decision on 99 via video review. He shared a 137-run partnership for the second wicket with Kamindu Mendis, who scored 54 from 56 balls before skying a catch to England captain Harry Brook off Atkinson. Pavan Rathnayake added 48 from 39 balls before being run out by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler following an off-target throw from Joe Root. Kusal Mendis eventually holed out to Tom Banton off Ahmed, who recorded figures of two for 48, helping restrict Sri Lanka to 321 for six in their 50 overs alongside Atkinson's two for 55.

England reply and Buttler injury

England began the chase of 322 with an aggressive opening stand of 143 runs between Ben Duckett and Tom Banton. Banton led the early charge with 73 runs before England lost three wickets for 14 runs to disrupt their progress. Jos Buttler revived the innings by striking five sixes against the Sri Lankan spinners, steering England to a position where they required 68 runs from 75 deliveries with six wickets remaining. Buttler then pulled up with a left hamstring injury and retired hurt on 66.

Sri Lanka capitalized on the stoppage through left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who took three for 49 to remove the middle order. Touring seamers produced reverse swing to dismiss Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton in rapid succession. Will Jacks compiled 52 runs to keep England in contention, but wickets continued to fall at the opposite end.

Final overs and series decider

Buttler hobbled back to the crease with England needing 27 runs from 14 balls following the dismissal of the lower order. Struggling to put weight on his left leg and unable to run between the wickets, Buttler took three singles before Will Jacks fell at the non-striker's end. England arrived at the final over requiring 19 runs for victory.

On strike for the final over, Buttler attempted a six but holed out to deep mid-wicket to finish on 69 runs. England ended their 50 overs on 305 for nine, handing Sri Lanka a 16-run victory and leveling the three-match series at 1-1. The tour concludes with a series-deciding match scheduled for Sunday at The Oval, starting at 10:30 BST.