Jos Buttler ruled out of England vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI; Dan Lawrence called up
Synopsis
Jos Buttler retired hurt on 67 at Headingley, hobbled back to score 69 — his best ODI knock in three years — and still ended on the losing side as Sri Lanka levelled the series 1-1. Now he is ruled out of the decider at The Oval, leaving England to reshuffle for Sunday's shootout with an uncapped Dan Lawrence potentially making his long-overdue ODI debut.
Key Takeaways
Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Sunday with a left hamstring injury .
Buttler retired hurt on 67 during the second ODI at Headingley but returned to score 69 — his highest ODI total in three years .
Sri Lanka won the second ODI by 16 runs to level the three-match series at 1-1 .
Dan Lawrence has been called up as cover; he is uncapped in ODIs despite a previous call-up in 2021 .
Jordan Cox is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties and earn his fourth ODI cap on Sunday.
Lawrence has played only 28 List A matches , with his last coming in May 2019 .
Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the decisive third One Day International (ODI) between England and Sri Lanka, scheduled for Sunday, 28 September 2026 at The Oval, after sustaining a left hamstring injury during the second match at Headingley. Surrey batter Dan Lawrence has been drafted into the squad as cover, with the three-match series locked at 1-1.
How the Injury Unfolded
Buttler's hamstring gave way in the 38th over of England's run chase on Thursday while he was running between the wickets. Despite immediate on-field medical attention, the 36-year-old was forced to retire hurt on 67. Showing characteristic resilience, he hobbled back to the crease in the 48th over in a desperate effort to finish the chase, adding two more runs to end on 69 — his highest ODI score in three years. His late cameo, however, could not prevent Sri Lanka from securing a 16-run victory to level the series.
Official ECB Confirmation
An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesperson confirmed the development in an official statement on Friday: '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.' Lawrence is set to join the national squad for training at The Oval on Saturday morning, having been pulled out midway through a County Championship match for Surrey against Somerset.
Buttler's Injury History and Cox in Line
The hamstring setback adds to a frustrating pattern of soft-tissue injuries for Buttler, who previously missed a portion of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a similar leg complaint. In his absence, Jordan Cox is tipped to take over wicketkeeping duties on Sunday, which would earn him his fourth ODI cap.
Who Is Dan Lawrence?
Lawrence, a right-handed batter, struck a century for Surrey on Thursday before his call-up. He impressed during England's recent Test series win over Pakistan, registering three fifties, but remains uncapped in ODIs. His only previous white-ball call-up for England came in 2021 against Pakistan amid a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp, and he is yet to make his white-ball international debut. Lawrence has played just 28 List A matches, the last of which came in May 2019, making Sunday a potentially historic first appearance if he is selected.
What Is at Stake at The Oval
With the series level at 1-1, Sunday's third and final ODI at The Oval is a straight shootout for series honours. England will need to reorganise their batting order and keeping duties without their most experienced white-ball player, adding a layer of uncertainty to the decider. All eyes will be on whether Lawrence earns his long-awaited ODI debut and how Cox manages with the gloves under pressure.
Point of View
Last played May 2019) is not the profile you want walking into a series decider, and his call-up underlines a structural gap in the county-to-ODI pipeline. Jordan Cox behind the stumps is an untested variable in a match England cannot afford to lose. The broader concern is Buttler's recurring soft-tissue issues: a hamstring that gives way mid-chase and keeps coming back is a long-term management problem, not just a one-match absence.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Jos Buttler been ruled out of the third ODI against Sri Lanka?
Buttler suffered a left hamstring injury during England's run chase in the second ODI at Headingley on Thursday, when he pulled up while running between the wickets in the 38th over. The ECB confirmed on Friday that he will undergo further assessment and will not be available for the series decider at The Oval on Sunday.
Who has replaced Jos Buttler in England's squad?
Surrey batter Dan Lawrence has been called up as cover after being pulled out of a County Championship match against Somerset. Lawrence is set to train with the England squad at The Oval on Saturday morning, though his selection in the playing XI is not yet confirmed.
Who will keep wicket for England in the third ODI?
Jordan Cox is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties from Buttler on Sunday, which would earn him his fourth ODI cap. Cox steps into a high-pressure role with the series on the line.
Has Dan Lawrence played ODI cricket for England before?
Lawrence has not yet made his ODI debut. He was called up previously in 2021 against Pakistan during a Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp but did not play. He has appeared in only 28 List A matches, with his last coming in May 2019.
What is the current state of the England vs Sri Lanka ODI series?
The three-match series is level at 1-1 after Sri Lanka won the second ODI at Headingley by 16 runs. The decider takes place at The Oval on Sunday, 28 September 2026.
