Sri Lanka grab dramatic win over England to square series

LEEDS, England, Sept 24 : Sri Lanka pulled off a dramatic 16-run win over England in the second one-day International at Headingley on Thursday to level the three-match series despite a heroic effort from injured Jos Buttler.

England scored 305-9 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 321-6, which included a century from captain Kusal Mendis in a high-scoring clash in which Buttler looked to be taking England to a comfortable triumph before damaging his hamstring.

He retired hurt on 67, but as Sri Lanka pulled themselves back into the contest with key wickets, a limping Buttler came back to the crease, with England needing 20 runs off the last two overs.

He was, however, only able to add two more runs before being caught at deep mid-wicket, with his dismissal effectively ending home hopes.

England had needed only 63 runs off their last 10 overs to seal the series but were pinned back by the Sri Lankan bowlers, who got their side over the line for their first success of the tour after suffering a 3-0 whitewash in the Twenty20 internationals. 

Sri Lanka skipper Mendis won the toss and elected to bat, leading from the front as he scored 121 and shared a second-wicket partnership of 137 with Kamindu Mendis, who made 54.

EXPENSIVE DROP

Kusal Mendis was dropped on 17 by Gus Atkinson at fine leg in an expensive slip off Jamie Overton’s bowling and had another life one run short of his century when he was given out caught behind off Overton but reviewed immediately and the TV umpire found there had been no nick.

He cover drove the next ball to complete a seventh ODI century.

Pavan Rathnayake added 48 off 39 balls before being run out, and Janith Liyanage contributed 32 before becoming Jofra Archer’s only wicket as the England paceman returned expensive