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England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Full Commentary
Result · Sep 24 2026, Thu - 05:00 PM (IST)
ENG 305/9 (50.0)
SL 321/6 (50.0)
Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs
CRR:6.10
প্লেয়ার অফ দ্য ম্যাচ
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We are back for the chase. The umpires are back out in the middle, and so are the players of Sri Lanka. It will be Tom Banton and Ben Duckett to open the innings for England. Asitha Fernando will get proceedings underway with the ball. Let's go...
... The Run Chase ...
Late flourish sets England 322 to win - A lively cameo from Janith Liyanage and composed running from Dunith Wellalage ensured the visitors finished with a bang, lifting the final score to a formidable 321/6. It has been a thoroughly entertaining batting clinic from Sri Lanka, but on this flat surface where the ball is flying, England's deep batting lineup will fancy their chances. Don't go anywhere, a cracking chase of 322 is coming right up!
England fight back in the middle overs - England found a glimmer of hope through Rehan Ahmed, who struck crucial blows to send back both centurion Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka. Even as England tried to dry up the boundaries, Pavan Rathnayake kept the pedal pressed down with a fiery 48. A sharp piece of fielding from Joe Root and Jos Buttler ended Rathnayake's stay via a run-out, pulling Sri Lanka back just as they threatened to run completely wild.
Sri Lanka finish with 321 on the Board! After Gus Atkinson struck in the powerplay to remove Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka seized control on a lively batting deck at Leeds. Skipper Kusal Mendis made England pay dearly for a dropped chance, linking up with Kamindu Mendis to construct a dominant 137-run partnership. The captain batted with supreme intent, shrugging off a scare on 99 to notch a sensational 121 off just 100 deliveries and lay down a rock-solid platform.
A single to end, and Sri Lanka finish with 321/6 on the board. Full and fast from Overton, at the toes. Dunith Wellalage jams it out in front of square leg and gets a single in the deep. The ball has gone quickly to the fielder and there's no scope to push for another run. A couple of tidy overs to end from England's bowlers.
Good work from Buttler this time around. Another off pace delivery, slightly full and angled across off. Wellalage goes on one knee and has a big swing across the line but misses. The batters think about the bye but Buttler collects it and hits the bullseye at the striker's end.
Another fumble from Buttler and the batters manage to get through. Slower one, into the pitch and around off. Colombage swings and misses and the batters scamper across for a bye.
Full and straight, Wellalage shuffles past the off stump and flicks it to deep square leg for one.
Hammered into the pitch, a bit short and over off stump. Wellalage goes across the line but miscues it completely, over mid off. Will Jacks runs back and does well to palm the ball in, saving two runs for his side.
DROPPED! That's the second catch dropped off Overton's bowling. Back of a length, coming in at an awkward angle over middle. Sachindu Colombage makes room and swings across the line but gets an outside edge. Jos Buttler leaps up and goes one-handed but the ball thuds into the glove before popping out. Single taken.
Short-pitched delivery over middle, pulled away towards deep mid-wicket for one more. A wicket and four singles off Archer's final over.
A straight yorker from Archer, jammed away in front of mid-wicket for just a single.
A wide yorker now, tailing away from the left-hander. Wellalage backs away and has to reach for it, but is unable to do so.
Full of a length, angled into the batter. Sachindu Colombage tentatively nudges it to the leg side and the batters set off for a single. There's a bit of coming together between Archer and Wellalage, but all's good.
Sachindu Colombage is the new batter in.
OUT! CAUGHT! Finally, something to be happy about for Jofra Archer. Archer hits the deck hard at 143 kph, bowling it fractionally shorter around off. Janith Liyanage tries to slap it over mid off but gets rushed and skews it away to extra cover. Joe Root takes a simple catch and Jofra has his first wicket of the game. Sri Lanka are 312/6 with 10 legal delveries left in the innings.
Full and darted across off at 140 clicks. Wellalage hangs deep and drills it to mid off for a single.
Shorter in length again, over leg stump. Wellalage gets rushed as he miscues the pull over square leg and picks up a single.
Hard length, angled into the pads. Liyanage looks to angle it away behind square leg but misses. The ball thuds off the thigh pad into the leg side and a leg bye is taken.
A heavy-length delivery from Jamie, in and around off. The ball gets big on Wellalage, who miscues the lofted shot well in front of mid off and picks up a single.
FOUR! Not where Wellalage intended it to go. Length ball over the stumps, Wellalage moves to the off side and goes for the scoop over fine leg, but drags it towards deep third. Josh Tongue runs across to his right and dives in but the ball falls short and gets parried off Tongue's body to the ropes.
Dug in shorter at the hips, helped down to fine leg for a single.
FOUR! Slower ball, in the slot outside off. Janith Liyanage picks it early, makes a bit of room and slams it over wide mid off for a boundary. 300 UP FOR SRI LANKA.
Much better length from Jofra. Hard length over middle, Wellalage backs away to go over the off side but is well beaten.
A low full toss, angled back into the batter. Liyanage makes room and smears it away back over the bowler's head for a single.
Good length, slanted across off. Wellalage glides it away with sweet timing. Will Jacks at deep point is quick to get to his right and cuts it off, keeping it down to a single.
Full and on the pads, wristed down to long leg for a single now.
FOUR! Begging to be punished. Slower one at 117 kph, but too short and too wide. Liyanage smacks it off the back foot between short third and backward point for a boundary. You can see the frustration on Archer's face, and it's been a disappointing day for him so far.
A fumble in the deep, and it will be an easy second run. Full and tailing back into the toes. Janith Liyanage stabs it away wide of long on, where Tom Banton gets around to his right and misfields.
Summit clash at the Oval - After a thrashing at Chester-le-Street, Sri Lanka have roared back at Headingley, levelling the series at 1-1, with a game remaining. Next up, it is the final ODI of this series and also the final game of England's home summer of 2026. Given what we have seen so far, it should be a cracking contest down south in London on Sunday, September 27. The 3rd ODI is set to begin at 9.30 am GMT, but as usual, you can join us sooner for the build-up as well. Until then, take care and goodbye.
Player of the Match - For his stellar knock of 121 off 100 balls, Kusal Mendis is given the award. He starts by saying that he is happy with his knock and lauds the way those around him batted as well. Kusal goes on to add that they batted well and did the basics right. Further mentions that he was happy with 320 and wanted to get anything over 300 runs. On the bowling, Kusal starts by applauding Dunith Wellalage and gives credit to Charith Asalanka for the way he bowled in the Powerplay, and also mentions that the pacers showed class at the death. He ends by saying that they are looking forward to the final game and will look to play good cricket.
The captain of England - Harry Brook says that it was a staggering game. He adds that they will go back to their drawing board and try to bounce back. He reckons that Sri Lanka got to a great start with the bat and they did well with the ball as well, so credit to them. On being asked about their performance, he says that they got to a great start with the bat but lost quick wickets and ends by saying that they are looking forward to their next game at The Oval.
The Presentation ceremony...
Skipper's day out - On Harry Brook's home ground, it was the opposition skipper who actually got the best out of himself. Kusal Mendis was the star of Sri Lanka's 321 with his eye-catching knock of 121 off 100 balls, and then he showed great grit in the way he rotated his bowlers after being put under pressure by England's openers. Tom Banton and Ben Duckett made 73 and 67 respectively, but the foundation laid by them didn't prove to be enough as the middle order let England down.
England bring about their own demise - A fourth straight ODI loss at Headingley for England, and this one will be tough to swallow. After that mammoth 143-run opening stand, the hosts were expected to ice the chase, but it didn't turn out that way. They were suddenly down to 157/3, but Jos Buttler came in and took control of the chase. Buttler seemed to be flying and got to his half-century, but had to go off with an injury. Will Jacks tried to stabilize the chase from one end, and once Rehan Ahmed got out, Jacks and Gus Atkinson decided to play the long game. However, it turned out to be a complete lack of intent and only a 4 and a 6 were hit in the entirety of the last 10 overs. England had to hurry in the last 5 overs as they required 42 for the win, but Atkinson got out and triggered a late collapse. Even Buttler came back out to bat, but after Jacks was in the 49th over, it was all over. This is something England need to rectify before next year's World Cup, and they need to stick to their power game.
Wellalage sparks the comeback - Sri Lanka were under the pump, and their pacers were all over the place, conceding boundaries at a rate of knots. However, once Dunith Wellalage came in post the first drinks break of the innings, he sent back the openers in consecutive overs and then got rid of Harry Brook for just one. The visitors still had a lot to do, but they got a lucky break when Jos Buttler had to walk off injured. The Lankans did extremely well to dry up the boundaries, and the pacers picked up wickets at the death as well to seal a fine victory. Asitha Fernando got the ball reversing again, as the likes of Eshan Malinga and Dilshan Madushanka got a couple of wickets each.
All tied up - A famous victory for Sri Lanka at Headingley, and they have taken the outcome of this ODI series into the final game. England will be gutted as they were cruising through the chase but have crumbled at the death.
That will do! Much fuller, on off, Jofra Archer looks to loft it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards short fine leg. Sri Lanka win by 16 runs and level the series 1-1.
Angling in, on off, Jofra Archer flicks it to mid-wicket. He denies for a single and decides to play at last ball as well.
Full and straight, Jofra Archer drives it uppishly towards cover.
Put down! A difficult one, though. Length and on off, Jofra Archer lofts it hard and flat towards long on. Kamindu Mendis dives to his left near the fence and spills the catch. He manages to keep the ball in. Dot.
A full toss, on off, Josh Tongue steers it to point for a single. 17 needed from 4 balls now.
Wide! Way outside off, Josh Tongue looks to play at it but misses.
Josh Tongue is the last batter in.
OUT! TAKEN! Dilshan Madushanka gets the huge wicket, and that should do it for Sri Lanka. Full and on off, Jos Buttler moves to his off side and looks to heave it but doesn't get the elevation on it. The ball carries towards deep mid-wicket. Kamindu Mendis runs to his right near the fence and takes a well-composed catch.
Brilliant over from Eshan Malinga! Just one run and a wicket as well. 19 needed from the final over now. Can Jos Buttler get England over the line? Dilshan Madushanka to bowl the final over.
Slower one, on off, Jofra Archer taps it back to the bowler.
Full and on leg, Jofra Archer flicks it to mid-wicket. They decide not to take a single.
Jofra Archer walks in. England need 19 runs in 8 balls now.
OUT! TAKEN! Eshan Malinga strikes and gets the big wicket. Full and on middle and leg, Will Jacks tries to get under the ball and looks to loft it but gets it off the toe end of his bat. The ball goes high in the air towards long on. Janith Liyanage runs forward and takes a good catch.
A yorker, on off, Will Jacks digs it to short third.
Angling in, on off, Jos Buttler chips it over mid off for a single.
Full and outside off, Jos Buttler tries to play a reverse scoop but misses.
SIX! Fifty up for Will Jacks! A half volley, on leg, Will Jacks moves to his leg side and powers it high over long on for a biggie. A well composed knock from him.
Fullish, on leg, Jos Buttler flicks it to mid-wicket and walks across for a single.
Jos Buttler, who was retired out earlier, walks in to bat again. He is on 67 (45).
OUT! TAKEN! Asitha Fernando gets a wicket now. A high full toss, on off, Jamie Overton looks to loft it but gets a top edge. The ball carries towards long on. Charith Asalanka runs behind and dives to take a magnificent catch. The umpire checks for a possible no ball and it shows that the ball was below the waist. Then the umpire checks for a clean catch and it was that there was no problem with the catch as well.
Too full, on leg, Will Jacks flicks it to square leg for a single.
FOUR! A much-needed boundary for England! Angling in, on middle and leg, Will Jacks gets under the ball and slogs it over square leg for a boundary.