Jos Buttler produced arguably England’s greatest one-day innings – his first ODI hundred, the fastest for the country and the fastest at Lord’s – but Sri Lanka clung on to level the series in a contest that became gripping during the latter stages of the chase.
Buttler’s 61-ball century, eclipsing the 69-ball record of Kevin Pietersen at East London, brought England’s requirement down to 12 off the final over but Lasith Malinga held his nerve as Chris Jordan holed out and Buttler was run out for 121 off 74 with two balls of the innings remaining.
Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan added 172 for the second wicket – Sri Lanka’s third best stand for that wicket in ODIs – to form the backbone of the total. Although England fought back in the final 10 overs, a final-ball boundary by Mendis enabled Sri Lanka to cross the psychological 300 marker: England had only ever chased down more than 300 twice in their ODI history.
