Mendis’ ton, Wellalage’s three-for help Sri Lanka file an equalizer

Sri Lanka drew the three-match ODI series level with a 16-run win over England in Leeds, defending 321/6 as they confined the hosts to 305/9. Kusal Mendis led the charge with 121, with Kamindu Mendis (54) and Pavan Rathnayake (48 chipping in with supporting roles. For England Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler and Will Jacks composed half-centuries but they eventually fell short of the finish line as Sri Lanka bounced back really well after a century opening stand.

Needing 63 to win off the last 10 overs, Jacks and Gus Atkinson kept England in the hunt, though Sri Lanka did well to keep a tight lid on the boundaries, with the pacers availing the reverse swing on offer and using their cutters to good effect. The equation read 42 off the last five overs, which became 33 off 18 as the boundary drought continued, while England also lost Atkinson to Malinga. Breaking the shackles, Jacks finally got a four, off Fernando, but the bowler sent Jamie Overton back soon after. Jacks drilled a six in the same over to bring up a 59-ball fifty but the writing was on the wall by then, and the niggle Buttler was carrying didn’t help the cause.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 321/6 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 121, Kamindu Mendis 54, Pavan Rathnayake 48; Rehan Ahmed 2-48) beat England 305/9 in 50 overs (Tom Banton 73, Jos Buttler 69, Ben Duckett 69; Dunith Wellalage 3-49, Eshan Malinga 2-50) by 16 runs.