Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis hit his seventh one-day international century to steer his side to a 16-run win over England at Headingley on Thursday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.
Mendis made 121 from 100 balls after winning the toss and choosing to bat, carrying Sri Lanka to 6-321 from their 50 overs. It was Sri Lanka’s highest first-innings total in an ODI against England since 2018.
He needed some luck to get there. On 17 he was dropped by Gus Atkinson at fine leg off the bowling of Jamie Overton, in blustery conditions. England paid dearly for the miss.
The captain shared a 137-run stand with Kamindu Mendis, who made 54, and the lower order kept the momentum going. Pavan Rathnayake struck 48 from 39 balls, Janith Liyanage added 32 and Pathum Nissanka made 25.
Sri Lanka managed it without leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of the rest of the series with a back injury.
England’s reply started as if the target would be no problem. Openers Ben Duckett (67 from 63 balls) and Tom Banton (73 from 62) put on 143 in just 119 balls.
Jos Buttler then took up the chase with 69 from 49 balls before a hamstring injury forced him to retire hurt in the 38th over. He came back out later in the innings but was clearly hampered, and Will Jacks’s 52 could only drag England so far.
Dunith Wellalage was the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers with 3-49. Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga took two wickets each, and Asitha Fernando shut down England’s boundary options at the death as the hosts finished on 9-305.
Mendis was named player of the match.
The win breathes life into a tour that had gone England’s way. The hosts swept the T20 series 3-0 and won the first ODI by 89 runs.
The series will be decided at The Oval in London on Sunday.