Sri Lanka level ODI series with captain's knock from Kusal
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Setting England a huge target of 322 at Headingley and defending it by 16 runs in a contest that stayed alive until the final moments, Sri Lanka recorded a superb win in the second ODI against England last night (24) to level the series 1-1. Captain Kusal Mendis's 82-ball century laid a massive platform for the Sri Lankan innings, and as Dunith Wellalage's spin broke the England innings, the Sri Lankan bowlers sealed the victory in the closing overs.
Sri Lanka managed to record an ODI win against England on English soil for the first time in seven years yesterday. Having last beaten England at Headingley itself in 2019, this was Sri Lanka's first ODI victory in England since that win.
Winning the toss and batting first, Sri Lanka posted 321 for 6, while England were restricted to 305 for 9 at the end of the 50 overs. This was Sri Lanka's highest total in an ODI innings against England since 2018, and only the third time since the start of 2024 that they have gone past the 320-run mark in an ODI innings.
Captain Kusal Mendis, who laid the winning foundation for the Sri Lankan innings, made 121 off 100 balls to record the seventh century of his ODI international career. His innings included 14 fours and 3 sixes, and Kusal's attacking batting opened the path for Sri Lanka to reach a big total.
Joining Kusal, Kamindu Mendis made 54 off 73 balls as the pair built an excellent 137-run second-wicket partnership. Pathum Nissanka scored 25, while Pawan Rathnayake with 48 and Janith Liyanage with 32 lifted Sri Lanka's scoreboard.
England's batters made a successful start against the Sri Lankan bowlers, building a huge 143-run opening partnership. Ben Duckett made 67 and Tom Banton 73, raising England's hopes of victory.
But Dunith Wellalage applied heavy pressure on the England innings, dismissing Duckett, Banton and Harry Brook to bring Sri Lanka back into the contest. Wellalage took 3 wickets for 49 runs in his 10 overs.
England's closest moment to victory came through the rapid batting of wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Buttler struck 69 off 49 balls to tilt control of the match towards England.
However, Buttler having to leave the field in the 38th over after suffering a thigh injury became a decisive moment in the match. Although he later returned to the middle, he was unable to hit out at his usual tempo and fell as Madushanka's victim.
At the moment Buttler left the field, England needed only 68 runs from 75 balls with six wickets in hand. But from there the Sri Lankan bowlers piled heavy pressure on the England batters, conceding just a single four in the next 60 balls.
Although Will Jacks made 52 to carry England's hopes of victory until the closing moments, the Sri Lankan bowlers claimed the match in the final two overs. Asitha Fernando's outstanding closing overs also made a big contribution to the Sri Lankan win.
England struck a six at the end of the 48th over, but that turned out to be the last stroke an England batter sent beyond the boundary. Eshan Malinga and Dilshan Madushanka bowled the final two overs superbly to break England's last hopes of victory.
Accordingly, the third and final ODI of the series is due to be played next Sunday at The Oval, and that match has become the decider that will determine the winner of the series.
Scoreboard summary
Sri Lanka – 321/6 (50 overs) – Kusal Mendis 121, Kamindu Mendis 54, Pawan Rathnayake 48, Janith Liyanage 32, Pathum Nissanka 25, Charith Asalanka 11, Dunith Wellalage 16*, Sachindu Colombage 03*, Gus Atkinson 55/2, Jofra Archer 68/1, Rehan Ahmed 48/2)
England – 305/9 (50 overs) Tom Banton 73, Jos Buttler 69, Ben Duckett 67, Will Jacks 52, Joe Root 15, Harry Brook 01, Rehan Ahmed 00, Gus Atkinson 16, Jamie Overton 02, Jofra Archer 00*, Josh Tongue 01*, Dunith Wellalage 49/3, Dilshan Madushanka 54/2, Asitha Fernando 68/1, Eshan Malinga 50/2, Sachindu Colombage 55/1)
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting