England and Sri Lanka set for ODI series decider

England and Sri Lanka are scheduled to meet at The Kia Oval in London on September 27 in the third and final one-day international, with the series tied 1-1. England are expected to be without captain Jos Buttler, who sustained a hamstring injury during the second match. The decider’s result will determine which team wins the three-match series; no result or confirmed playing XIs were available in the match previews. England won the opener by 89 runs at Chester-le-Street before Sri Lanka levelled the series with a 16-run victory at Headingley. In the second ODI, Sri Lanka made 321 for six, led by Kusal Mendis’s 121 from 100 balls. England scored 305 for nine in reply. Dunith Wellalage took three wickets as Sri Lanka defended their total. Buttler’s expected absence is a significant change for England. Jordan Cox is projected to take over wicketkeeping duties, while Harry Brook is expected to lead the side. These are probable arrangements rather than confirmed selections. The previews also identify Joe Root as an experienced option in England’s middle order and describe Dan Lawrence as having received a late call-up, but do not confirm the final XI.