England to go against Sri Lanka without its star player

With the third T20I ahead against Sri Lanka, England is faced with a deficit, with its wicketkeeper vice-captain needing a replacement due to his calf injury. The England player who scored an unbeaten 68 in the first T20I was not the same at the end of the match. The injury has cost him the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, with Dawid Malan filling his shoes in both series.

Malan being the world’s No. 1 in T20, seems to have less experience with the ODIs playing only three of the last one being a 50 against India in Pune. Jonny Bairstow replaced Buttler in the second T20I, where England won by five wickets, thanks to Liam Livingston’s fantastic close. However, Buttler’s MRI scan revealed a small tear in his right calf muscle, which would keep him out of the game for some time.