England and Sri Lanka's one-day series will go to a deciding fifth game after Sri Lanka recorded a seven-run win at Lord's despite a scintillating innings from Jos Buttler.
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After scoring just 67 and suffering a demoralising 10-wicket defeat in Manchester on Wednesday, Sri Lanka fought back in the fourth ODI today.
They were put into bat by England and notched exactly 300 from their 50 overs, with Kumar Sangakkara top-scoring with 112.
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England's reply didn't get off to a good start as openers Alastair Cook (1) and Ian Bell (7) were both gone inside four overs.
Gary Ballance (42) and Joe Root (43) then put on an 84-run partnership, but it was slow going and England were well behind the required run rate.
Eoin Morgan could only add 12 to the total before Ravi Bopara (51) and Buttler took over.
The pair scored 133 together at the crease off just 98 balls to get England back in contention.
Buttler's 121, which came off just 74 balls and included 11 fours and six sixes, wouldn't quite be enough as he was run out by bowler Lasith Malinga when trying to hit the winning runs in the final over.
In the end, England fell seven short and will now look to win the series in the day-nighter at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
Pascal Lemesre
