Buttler’s hamstring issue halts England as Sri Lanka level series at Headingley

Jos Buttler’s hamstring problem interrupted England’s chase as Sri Lanka beat them by 16 runs in the second Metro Bank one-day international at Headingley on 24 September 2026, levelling the series and setting up a decider at The Oval.

Sri Lanka posted 321-6 in their 50 overs, Kusal 121 and Kamindu 54 among the runs, with Ahmed returning figures of 2-48; Dinuth Wellalage finished with 3-49 as England fell short in reply. The match was the second ODI of the series and follows England’s earlier defeat in the tour opener.

England needed 68 from 75 balls during the chase before Buttler retired hurt on 67 after tweaking a hamstring. He later returned to the crease with 27 required from 14 balls and saw Will Jacks depart for 52 at the non-striker’s end; Buttler, only able to limp, holed out at deep mid-wicket and England were all out as Sri Lanka sealed victory by 16 runs, the report saying they finished on 306-9.

Buttler had been in aggressive form earlier in the innings, striking Sri Lanka’s spinners for five sixes and helping rebuild after a top-order wobble. An opening partnership of 143 between Tom Banton and Ben Duckett had put England back on track before a collapse of 3-14 interrupted the momentum.

Duckett was bowled for 67 and Banton was stumped for 73, both dismissals coming to left-arm spinner Dinuth Wellalage, who also trapped Harry Brook lbw for one and claimed three wickets in the innings. Joe Root made 15 in the chase.

England’s seamers struggled for control on a flat Headingley surface; Josh Tongue returned 0-50 from seven overs while Gus Atkinson took 2-55 and Jamie Overton conceded 0-63 from his 10 overs. Atkinson had earlier spilled a simple chance at fine leg when Kusal was on 17, and Overton suffered a further missed opportunity when a catch was dropped in the final over.

Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal was unsettled by short balls from Overton early on and had to overturn a caught-behind decision on 99 before being eventually caught on the boundary attempting to clear deep mid-wicket off Ahmed; Ahmed also had Charith Asalanka caught in the same position. Sri Lanka had been outclassed 3-0 in the preceding T20 series and beaten by 89 runs in the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, so this win provides a morale boost.

The series concludes with a deciding match at The Oval on Sunday, starting from 10:30 BST, which will determine the winner of the three-match ODI series.