London, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the decisive third ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Sunday after suffering a left hamstring injury during the second match at Headingley.
Surrey batter Dan Lawrence has been called into the England squad as cover after being pulled out of his County Championship match against Somerset. He is expected to join the national team for training at The Oval on Saturday morning.
“Surrey batter Dan Lawrence has been called into the England Men’s squad for Sunday’s third Metro Bank ODI against Sri Lanka. 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,” the ECB said in an official statement.
Buttler sustained the injury during the 38th over of England’s run chase on Thursday when he pulled up while running between the wickets. Despite receiving treatment, the 36-year-old was forced to retire hurt after scoring 67.
He returned to the crease in the 48th over in an attempt to help England complete the chase, adding two more runs before being dismissed for 69. It was his highest ODI score in three years, but his effort could not prevent Sri Lanka from securing a 16-run victory and levelling the three-match series 1-1.
The hamstring problem adds to Buttler’s history of soft-tissue injuries, including a similar leg issue that forced him to miss part of the 2024 IPL season.
In his absence, Jordan Cox is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties and could make his fourth ODI appearance for England on Sunday.
Lawrence, meanwhile, was in strong form for Surrey, scoring a century against Somerset on Thursday. He also made three half-centuries during England’s Test series victory over Pakistan.
The 28-year-old remains uncapped in ODIs. He was previously called up to England’s ODI squad against Pakistan in 2021 during a Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp but did not make his white-ball debut.
Lawrence has played 28 List A matches, with his most recent appearance coming in May 2019.
The third ODI will decide the series after Sri Lanka levelled the contest at Headingley.
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