Jos Buttler's incredible ton unable to help England beat Sri Lanka in fourth ODI

Sri Lanka defeated England by seven runs despite the host's wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler's century in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at Lord's on Saturday, levelling the series 2-2 with one game to go.

England's Buttler scored a century, thrilling the Lord's crowd with a scintillating 121 from 74 balls, but was not able to guide his side to victory while chasing Sri Lanka's 300-9 as the hosts were 293-8 in their 50 overs.

According to the BBC, Buttler, who plays as a wicketkeeper-batsman, got run out in the final over thus ending his innings and England's hopes to win the ODI series.

Meanwhile, for the Sri Lankan side Kumar Sangakkara batted a fine 112, including 14 fours to help his side on their way to 300-9.

Although Buttler smashed the fastest ODI century by an England player, hitting 11 fours and four sixes, to charge his side ahead from the depths of 111-5, yet he could not help the host's win the match despite his explosive innings.

Buttler and Ravi Bopara reportedly added 133 in 16.2 overs to keep pace with the required run-rate of more than nine an over and despite the all-rounder going for 51 with 57 needed off 32 balls, the wicketkeeper carried England into the final over with 12 runs to win the match.

However, Chris Jordan called for an impossible single off the fourth delivery of Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga in the final over which got Buttler comfortably run out and limited England to just four runs.

While, Sri Lanka was batting Sangakkara smashed his 19th ODI centuary as he and fellow veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan put on 172 for the second wicket after England won the toss, making way for their side to reach 300 runs in their 50 overs, the report added.