England will be without Jos Buttler for the third ODI against Sri Lanka after the wicketkeeper-batter sustained a hamstring injury in the second match. With the three-match series level at 1-1, England will now head into the final game without one of their key players. Buttler was forced to retire hurt during England’s chase but returned late in the innings as his side attempted to complete the run chase. However, England fell short as Sri Lanka secured a 16-run victory to level the series.

Jos Buttler ruled out after suffering hamstring injury

England and Sri Lanka are level at 1-1, with the third ODI at The Oval set to decide the series.Buttler picked up the injury while running between the wickets in the 38th over of England’s chase. He received treatment before retiring hurt on 67, with England still needing 68 runs from 75 balls.

He returned to the crease in the 48th over with England needing 12 runs from the final two balls. Buttler added two runs before being dismissed for 69 as England finished on 305/9. The severity of the hamstring injury is yet to be confirmed, with Buttler set to undergo further assessment. He previously suffered a similar issue during the 2024 IPL.

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England announce replacement for 3rd ODI

England have called up Dan Lawrence as cover for Buttler ahead of the third ODI at The Oval. Lawrence withdrew from Surrey’s County Championship match against Somerset after scoring a century and will now join the England squad. The 28-year-old is yet to make his ODI debut despite previously being called up to England’s squad for the 2021 series against Pakistan.

Lawrence has recently been in good form, scoring three half-centuries during England’s Test series against Pakistan before hitting a century for Surrey. However, he has limited recent List A experience, with his last one-day appearance for Surrey coming in 2019. Jordan Cox is expected to take over the wicketkeeping duties in Buttler’s absence and could make his fourth ODI appearance.

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