Sri Lanka produced one of their most impressive all-round performances of the England tour to keep the ODI series alive, defending 321 for six to beat England by 16 runs in a gripping second match at Headingley on Thursday.
Kusal Mendis set up the victory with a superb seventh ODI century before Dunith Wellalage and a disciplined bowling attack pulled off a remarkable fightback after England appeared to be cruising towards the target.
England, chasing 322, finished on 305 for nine, leaving the three-match series level at 1-1 ahead of Sunday’s decider at The Oval.
It was Sri Lanka’s first ODI victory away to England since 2019, when they also won at Headingley, and came after a difficult tour in which they had lost all three T20Is and the opening ODI.
Kusal’s 121 provided the backbone of Sri Lanka’s innings. He was well supported by Kamindu Mendis, who made 54, while Pavan Rathnayake added 48 and Janith Liyanage 32 as Sri Lanka posted their highest first-innings total against England in an ODI since 2018.
The foundation was laid during a 137-run partnership between the two Mendises. Kusal was given an important reprieve on 18 when England failed to hold a skier, and he made them pay heavily for the mistake.
He accelerated after reaching his half-century and brought up his hundred in 82 balls, including a series of authoritative strokes through the off side.
At one stage Sri Lanka appeared capable of pushing beyond 340, but England fought back in the latter stages to restrict the visitors to 321.
The total, however, proved sufficient as Sri Lanka’s bowlers produced their best collective performance of the tour.
England made a flying start. Ben Duckett and Tom Banton added 143 for the first wicket, with England racing to 82 inside the first 10 overs.
The game appeared to be slipping away from Sri Lanka before Wellalage changed the momentum.
The left-arm spinner removed Duckett and Banton in quick succession before trapping Harry Brook lbw to finish with outstanding figures of three for 49.
England recovered through Jos Buttler, who played an aggressive 69 from 45 balls and appeared to have taken the chase firmly under control.
But the defining moment came when Buttler was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring problem.
England were 253 for four at the time and required only 68 from 75 balls. However, the disruption changed the complexion of the chase.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened the pressure, conceding only one boundary during the 60 deliveries between Buttler leaving the field and eventually returning.
Will Jacks kept England’s hopes alive with a determined 52, but Sri Lanka continued to chip away at the lower order.
Asitha Fernando delivered an excellent spell at the death, while Eshan Malinga and Dilshan Madushanka held their nerve during the final overs.
England needed 27 from the final 14 balls when Buttler returned, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers conceded no further boundaries after a six at the end of the 48th over.
The pressure finally told as England ended on 305 for nine.
For Sri Lanka, the victory was about more than simply keeping the series alive. It was a performance in which their batting established a challenging total, their spin attack exploited the conditions and their seamers delivered when the pressure was greatest.
After four successive defeats on the tour, Sri Lanka finally found the combination of batting intent, bowling discipline and composure required to beat England.
The series now moves to The Oval on Sunday with everything to play for.
