Jos Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batter, will miss the crucial third ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Sunday due to a left hamstring injury. The injury was sustained during the second match at Headingley, where he played a key role in the series. His absence will be a significant blow to the team as they aim to secure a series victory.
He hobbled back to the crease in the 48th over in a desperate bid to haul England across the line and added two more runs to finish on 69, his highest ODI score in three years, before holing out. Buttler’s late effort was in vain as Sri Lanka held their nerve to secure a 16-run victory and level the three-match series 1-1.
Jos Buttler has been ruled out due to the hamstring injury he suffered in the second Metro Bank ODI at Headingley last night and will undergo further assessment,” an ECB spokesperson said in an official statement on Friday. Right-handed batter Dan Lawrence, who was midway through a County Championship match for Surrey against Somerset, has been pulled out of domestic duty and drafted into the squad as cover for the series finale. “Surrey batter Dan Lawrence has been called into the England Men’s squad for Sunday’s third Metro Bank ODI against Sri Lanka.
Lawrence is set to link up with the national squad for training at The Oval on Saturday morning.
