Kusal Mendis’ ton, Wellalage’s three-for help Sri Lanka level ODI series

Kusal Mendis' Ton, Wellalage's Three-For Level ODI Series

Sri Lanka levelled the three-match ODI series with a 16-run win over England in Leeds, defending 321/6 to restrict the hosts to 305/9. Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with 121, supported by Kamindu Mendis (54) and Pavan Rathnayake (48). England’s Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler, and Will Jacks all struck half-centuries, but the hosts fell short despite a century opening stand.

England’s Chase
England started aggressively, with Duckett and Banton hitting 14 fours in the first 10 overs to reach 82/0. Duckett reached fifty in 44 balls, while Banton hit two sixes off Sachindu Colombage to reach fifty in 39 balls. The openers shared a 143-run stand before Dunith Wellalage turned the tide.

Wellalage dismissed Duckett (67), stumped Banton (73), and trapped Harry Brook lbw, reducing England from 143/0 to 157/3. Buttler and Joe Root attempted a revival, but Root was dismissed for 15 by Colombage. Buttler continued his aggressive approach, hitting two sixes in an over to reach a 36-ball fifty. He became the first England player to aggregate 10,000+ runs in men’s white-ball internationals. However, Buttler retired hurt midway through the 38th over due to a hamstring issue. Rehan Ahmed followed, falling for a five-ball duck.

In the death overs, Jacks and Gus Atkinson kept England afloat, but Sri Lanka’s pacers utilized reverse swing and cutters to maintain a boundary drought. Atkinson fell to Eshan Malinga, and Jacks reached fifty in 59 balls. Malinga then dismissed Jacks caught in the deep, conceding only one run in the over. Buttler returned to bat but was limping; he was caught in the deep off Madushanka, sealing the Sri Lanka victory and sending the series to a decider at The Oval.

Sri Lanka’s Innings
Sri Lanka began steadily, with Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis sharing 45 runs. Nissanka was trapped lbw by Gus Atkinson for 25 in the ninth over. England’s quicks bowled 43 dot balls in the first Powerplay, keeping Sri Lanka to 46/1 after 10 overs.

Kusal and Kamindu increased the tempo, sharing a 137-run second-wicket stand. This was the first time on the tour that Sri Lanka recorded two individual 50+ scores in an innings. Kamindu was dismissed for 54, caught by Harry Brook at mid-on after attempting a loft.

Kusal Mendis reached his century with a boundary off Jamie Overton in the 31st over, becoming the first Sri Lankan to score an ODI hundred in England since Angelo Mathews in 2019. He was dismissed for 121, caught behind off Rehan Ahmed. Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal added 40 runs before the partnership ended. Charith Asalanka fell to Rehan Ahmed, leaving Sri Lanka at 237/4 after 40 overs.

Rathnayake accelerated in the death overs, hitting regular boundaries and a six off Atkinson. He was run out for 48 while attempting a second run off a misfield by Root. Janith Liyanage struck two fours off Overton as Sri Lanka crossed 300 in the 48th over. England conceded no boundaries in the final two overs, but Sri Lanka finished strongly with 84 runs in the last 10 overs.

Brief Scores

• Sri Lanka: 321/6 (50 overs) – Kusal Mendis 121, Kamindu Mendis 54, Pavan Rathnayake 48; Rehan Ahmed 2/48
• England: 305/9 (50 overs) – Tom Banton 73, Jos Buttler 69, Ben Duckett 69; Dunith Wellalage 3/49, Eshan Malinga 2/50