3rd ODI | England vs Sri Lanka 2026 | The Oval, London | 27 September 2026

Jordan Cox is set to keep wicket and bat at five, with Jos Buttler ruled out of Sunday’s decider at The Oval by a left hamstring injury. The rest of the home order should stay as it was at Headingley, where Sri Lanka won by 16 runs to level things at 1-1. Dan Lawrence has joined as cover, while the tourists are without Wanindu Hasaranga. The spin that undid England’s middle order last time remains the biggest threat. 

Buttler’s Hamstring Forces a Reshuffle 

Buttler pulled up in the 38th over of the chase at Headingley, and the damage showed on the scoreboard. England were 253/4 when he went down and ended 305 all out, falling 16 short. 

He was ruled out on 25 September and will undergo further assessment. Dan Lawrence was withdrawn from Surrey’s County Championship fixture and trained with the squad at The Oval on Saturday. Losing Buttler changes far more than who wears the gloves. He batted at five in both games, so the hole sits right in the middle of the innings. 

England vs Sri Lanka ODI series Playing XI 

Expect one change for the hosts and a settled look from the visitors. Neither side has confirmed its team, so treat the home list below as the likely version, with Cox stepping into Buttler’s slot. 

Sri Lanka’s only switch at Headingley saw Eshan Malinga replace Dushmantha Chameera. Hasaranga has flown home with lower-back pain and Sachindu Colombage has come in, but a winning side gives the tourists little reason to tinker. 

Cox Takes the Gloves at The Oval 

Cox is expected to keep, and it is a big ask. His ODI record reads three matches, 22 runs and an average of 7.33, all on the West Indies trip in late 2024, from his debut on 31 October to his last game on 6 November. 

He has seven List A appearances in total. That is a light record for a No. 5 in a decider, though his keeping spares Brook from reshuffling the top four. The other option was Lawrence, who arrived only as cover and played no part in the first two games. Handing Cox the gloves keeps the shape of six batters and five bowling options intact. 

Wellalage Exposed the Middle Order 

Dunith Wellalage turned Headingley with 3/49. He bowled Ben Duckett driving and beat Tom Banton in the flight to hit the stumps again, then squeezed the innings after Buttler left. 

The slide from 253/4 to 305 all out is the number Brook must fix. Root at three and Brook at four have to see off Wellalage’s middle-overs spell, because a new keeper at five will not want to meet him cold on Sunday. 

Form Guide Heading Into the Decider 

The hosts won the opener at Chester-le-Street by 89 runs, with Brook making 67 and Will Jacks adding 46 not out and 5/22. They also beat India 2-1 in July, as Joe Root scored 249 runs and Sam Curran took six wickets. 

Earlier in the year, they won 2-1 in Sri Lanka, with Root leading again with 247 runs and Adil Rashid taking seven wickets. For Sri Lanka, Pavan Rathnayake made 162 runs, and Jeffrey Vandersay took five in that losing effort.

Kusal Mendis answered in Leeds with 121, setting up the 16-run win, after Wellalage had made 45 in the first match. The hosts own the stronger record, but the England vs Sri Lanka ODI series Playing XI debate now turns on Cox against Wellalage, and whoever wins that duel likely takes the series.    

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Jos Buttler playing the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka?

No, Buttler has been ruled out with a left hamstring injury. He was hurt in the 38th over of England’s chase at Headingley and will undergo further assessment, with Dan Lawrence added as cover. 

Who will keep wicket for England with Buttler injured?

Jordan Cox is expected to take the gloves at The Oval. He has played three ODIs, scoring 22 runs at an average of 7.33 since his debut against the West Indies on 31 October 2024. 

What is England’s likely team for the Oval ODI?

England have not officially named their side, but Cox is expected to replace Buttler. The rest should mirror Headingley, with Duckett and Banton opening, Root at three, Brook at four and Jacks at six. 

When and where is the 3rd ODI between England and Sri Lanka?

The 3rd ODI is on Sunday, 27 September 2026, at The Oval in London. The first ball is at 10:30 am, with the series level at 1-1 heading into the decider. 

Who won the 2nd ODI between England and Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka won the 2nd ODI at Headingley by 16 runs. Kusal Mendis struck 121, and Dunith Wellalage took 3/49 as England slipped from 253/4 to 305 all out.