Hosts England were given a brutal reality check at Leeds in Headingley as they went down to a spirited Sri Lankan side by 16 runs in a high-scoring classic as the series was levelled at 1-1. England had a mixed day with the ball and in the field, dropping catches, while with the bat, they couldn’t get the finishing kick against disciplined bowling to lose the match in the end. There were many reasons why the hosts were on the receiving end of the match, and we will try to decipher them for you here.
A dropped catch by Gus Atkinson off Kusal Mendis cost England a lot of runs.Â
England lost the toss at Leeds, as Sri Lanka started in a steady manner scoring 46 runs in the power play and lost Pathum Nissanka who departed after getting a start. Thereafter, the two Mendis’ Kamindu and Kusal joined forces to steady the innings in the middle phase of the game. But England had their chance to separate the duo and dismiss Kusal Mendis, but luck had other ideas.
Kusal, while batting on 17* miscued a ball off Jamie Overton to short fine leg region where Gus Atkinson dropped a sitter and that turned out to be a really costly. Dropped catches often prove to be costly and this turned out to be one. Kusal took the advantage of a second chance, and built a century stand with Kamindu as they hammered England in the middle phase of the game. The duo put on 137 runs in quick time off 120 balls in the middle phase to lay the platform for a grand total. But had that catch being taken, things would have looked different.
Catches win matches at the end of the day, and Gus Atkinson learnt it the hard way. He himself picked up 2 wickets, but this costly miss was the reason Sri Lanka got to a competitive score on the board at the end of it all. England will look at their fielding and will know they need to work on that to become a better side and do well in ODI matches. Because lapses like these costs you a lot.
Losing the plot against Dunith Wellalage exposed England in the middle phase of the game.Â
England were in pursuit of 322 in style as the openers Ben Duckett and Tom Banton came out all guns blazing. The duo set the chase up in the power play and beyond to add 143 runs for the first wicket inside 20 overs. The platform and the base was set, and it was time for the middle order to cash in. It seemed that England would cruise to another win and a series win at that, but Sri Lanka and their captain Kusal Mendis had other ideas.
Enter left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage who came into the attack and turned the match on its head. He removed both the set openers Duckett and Banton in quick time after both got their respective half-centuries. That’s not all, he also removed in-form batter and England captain Harry Brook for a rare low score. England suddenly went from 143/0 to 157/3 losing 3/14 in a mini-collapse. This reignited Sri Lanka as England found it tough now to negotiate Wellalage who bowled an excellent spell under pressure to bring his side back in the game.
The other bowlers stepped up later to help the Lankans, but this was one of the major turning points and England needs to be smarter after this reality check and look at areas to work on against spin to come back into the game and series. The series is 1-1 and it’s all to play for in this series. But this was a golden opportunity for England to clinch the series, but they blew it due to atrocious batting against the spinners. They have a lot to ponder about.
Inability to finish the game post Jos Buttler’s injury raises question marks on England.Â
England remained on track to win the contest after those three dismissals to Wellalage. Thereafter, Root also fell for a cheap score to Sachindu Colombage. But Jos Buttler was in the zone and he was ably supported by Will Jacks who started well in the partnership. The duo kept the calmness for England going where Buttler was fantastic while Jacks was equally good. Things were going swimmingly as the duo added 50+ runs in the partnership. Thereafter, a twist came when Buttler after being dropped by Wellalage on 63* was running between the wickets.
The keeper-batter suddenly tweaked his hamstring and from the looks of it, he may have torn it. He was in real pain and soon walked off the field injured. This opened the door for Sri Lanka as quiet overs rolled in. With 63 needed off 60 balls with Jacks at the crease and wickets in hand, it was still England’s game. All they had to do was finish the game. But suddenly, the timing disappeared from everyone. Rehan went early while Atkinson wasted balls and struggled for timing.
There was lack of timing by the batters and the Lankans bowled well. Jacks lost his touch as well and suddenly, England could not buy a run. The Lankans bowled with a lot of spirit, but in the absence of Buttler, England lacked a finisher and it was exposed last night. Will Jacks is a handy player, but he is not yet the finisher in ODI cricket. Plus, bizarre batting order where Atkinson came ahead of Jamie Overton perplexed everyone. In the end, lack of finishing under pressure showed England have a long way to go.
Ahead of the decider in London on Sunday, England would want to get this aspect right and win the series. There is not a lot to panic, but this is a reality check they needed to look in the mirror and see where they went wrong in this series.
What Lies Ahead.Â
The series is all square at 1-1 and we are all set for the last game of the English summer. It is the decider at the Kia Oval in London on Super Sunday. England vs Sri Lanka on Sunday, 27th September, 2026 at 3 PM IST from the Oval in London. Who will take the bragging rights in the winner take all battle? We shall find that answer out tomorrow.
Also Read:Â ENG vs SL: Kusal Mendis & Co Shock England