Table of Contents
Sri Lanka fought back strongly at Headingley as captain Kusal Mendis smashed 121 and Dunith Wellalage produced a crucial three-wicket spell to help the visitors beat England by 16 runs in the second ODI on Thursday.
The victory levelled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a decider at The Oval on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, who had lost the first ODI by 89 runs and the preceding T20I series 3-0, looked in control after putting 321/6 on the board. England made a strong start to the chase but eventually finished on 305/9.
Kusal Mendis anchors Sri Lanka's innings
After Sri Lanka were asked to bat, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis provided a steady start before Nissanka was dismissed for 25.
Kusal Mendis then joined Kamindu and took control of the innings.
The pair added 137 runs for the second wicket, with Kamindu contributing 54 before Gus Atkinson ended the partnership.
Kusal continued to attack and brought up his seventh ODI century. He eventually finished with 121 from 100 balls, including 14 fours and three sixes. His innings gave Sri Lanka the platform to push beyond 300.
Pavan Rathnayake also played an important late-innings role, scoring 48 from 39 balls, as Sri Lanka added 84 runs during the final 10 overs.
Sri Lanka finished with 321/6 from their 50 overs.
England make flying start before Wellalage changes the game
England's chase initially looked comfortable.
Tom Banton and Ben Duckett attacked Sri Lanka's bowling from the beginning, putting together a 143-run opening partnership.
Duckett scored 67 from 63 balls, while Banton made 73 from 62 deliveries.
With England reaching 143 without losing a wicket, the hosts appeared to have control of the chase.
That changed when Dunith Wellalage entered the attack.
The left-arm spinner removed Duckett and Banton in quick succession before trapping England captain Harry Brook lbw for just one.
England suddenly went from 143/0 to 157/3, bringing Sri Lanka back into the contest. Wellalage finished with 3/49.
Buttler keeps England in the chase
Despite the collapse, England still had a chance through Jos Buttler.
The wicketkeeper-batter played aggressively and scored 69 from 49 balls, including five fours and five sixes.
But Buttler's innings was interrupted when he suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury while running. He eventually returned to the middle for the final stages of the chase but was unable to move freely.
Will Jacks also contributed with 52, but Sri Lanka's bowlers held their nerve during the closing overs.
England needed 19 runs from the final over, but Buttler was dismissed, leaving the hosts on 305/9.
Sri Lanka completed a 16-run victory.
Series heads to a decider
The result gives Sri Lanka a major boost after a difficult start to their England tour.
They were beaten 3-0 in the T20I series and then suffered an 89-run defeat in the opening ODI. The response at Headingley, however, has completely changed the ODI series.
The third and deciding ODI will be played at The Oval on Sunday.
England will also have an injury concern to assess, with Buttler's hamstring problem potentially affecting his availability for the decider.
For Sri Lanka, the victory was built around two standout performances: Kusal Mendis' century gave them a competitive total, while Wellalage's three wickets turned England's promising chase into a contest.
Match Scorecard
Sri Lanka — 321/6 (50 overs)
Kusal Mendis 121, Kamindu Mendis 54, Pavan Rathnayake 48
Rehan Ahmed 2/48, Gus Atkinson 2/55
England — 305/9 (50 overs)
Tom Banton 73, Ben Duckett 67, Jos Buttler 69, Will Jacks 52
Dunith Wellalage 3/49, Dilshan Madushanka 2/54
Sri Lanka won by 16 runs
Series: England 1-1 Sri Lanka
Follow the match on CricketSky
Follow the complete England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI scorecard, live score and match updates on CricketSky:
