Mendis century sets up Sri Lanka win as injured Buttler comeback falls short

Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs at Headingley on 24 September to level the one-day series and force a decider.

Chasing 322 to take the series, England finished on 305-9 from their 50 overs after Sri Lanka had posted 321-6. The win makes it 1-1 with the final match at The Oval on Sunday morning. BBC Sport

Sri Lanka chose to bat after winning the toss in this second one-day international, a 50-overs-a-side game. Captain Kusal Mendis made a century, reaching 100 or more, to drive the innings. Rehan Ahmed was England's best bowler with 2-48.

England started the chase fast. Tom Banton scored 73 and shared an opening stand of 143 with Ben Duckett. That means the first two batters added 143 together before a wicket fell.

Will Jacks kept the push going with 52. Jos Buttler then took on Sri Lanka's spinners, hitting five sixes, shots cleared the rope without bouncing. He reached 67 before tweaking a hamstring and retiring hurt, leaving the field injured but allowed to return later.

At 214-4 after 32 overs, with Buttler on 48 and Jacks on 4, England looked in control. The game shifted when Buttler went off. Dunith Wellalage took 3-49 and Sri Lanka tightened their grip through the middle overs, the quieter passage between the fast start and the late rush.

Buttler limped back with England needing 27 from 14 balls. Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton had all fallen in his absence. He could not find the last boundaries. England closed 16 short.

The result resets the tour. England won the first one-day international in Durham by 89 runs. Sky Sports They had earlier completed an 8-wicket win to seal a 3-0 T20 whitewash over Sri Lanka. Reuters

What makes this stand out is the contrast. Mendis built his hundred with control. Buttler answered with power, even on one good leg. Sunday at 10:30 BST is now a final in all but name.