Sri Lanka beats England by 16 runs in second ODI at Headingley

Second Metro Bank one-day international, Headingley

Sri Lanka 321-6 (50 overs): Kusal 121, Kamindu 54; Ahmed 2-48

England 305-9 (50 overs): Banton 73, Buttler 69; Wellalage 3-49

Sri Lanka won by 16 runs

Scorecard

Jos Buttler's bravery came in vain as Sri Lanka fought back to beat England in the second one-day international at Headingley and set up a series decider at The Oval.

Needing 68 from 75 balls, England were cruising towards a target of 322 until Buttler retired hurt on 67 after tweaking a hamstring.

When Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton fell, Buttler re-emerged with 27 now needed from 14 balls and witnessed Will Jacks fall for 52 at the non-striker's end.

England were left needing 19 from the last with Buttler on strike but, barely able to hobble a single, he holed out at deep mid-wicket. England finished on 306-9 as Sri Lanka won by 16 runs.

Buttler had earlier shown flashes of his vintage best in hitting Sri Lanka's spinners for five sixes, putting England on course after collapse of 3-14 spoiled an opening stand of 143 between Tom Banton and Ben Duckett.

Sri Lanka were fortunate for the way he was abruptly halted but deserve credit for the way their seamers used reverse swing afterwards to deny England's lower order.

Their captain Kusal Mendis also hit a fine 122 in their 321-6. The series, and the international summer, concludes on Sunday from 10:30 BST.

What to make of this dramatic encounter? It is a defeat for England, one which halts their momentum a touch as they build towards next year's 50-over World Cup.

It was unlike any other, however. They will do well to find situations like these again when the bigger moments come.

One positive was the batting of Buttler before injury struck. He has not scored a century in this format for three-and-a-half years and had his T20 form doubted earlier this year at the World Cup.

The way he took down the spinners was brutal. When he was flying, England were on course for their highest chase at this ground.

The opening stand between Banton and Duckett was also impressive - reminiscent of England's brightest ODIs days as they thrashed around the bowling at more than seven runs an over.

That neither pressed on – Duckett was bowled for 67 and Banton stumped for 73, both to left-arm spinner Dinuth Wellalage – was disappointing. There were also rare failures for Joe Root who made 15 and Harry Brook, the latter also pinned in front lbw for one by Wellalage.

Perhaps more concerning was that the lower order were unable to support Jacks in his quest to push England over the line again.

That aspect must improve over England's three white-ball series that come before mid-January.