Jos Buttler’s second hundred in three matches was not enough to prevent England Lions from suffering defeat to Sri Lanka A at Kurunegala in yesterday’s third one-day international.

Already 2-0 up after back-to-back wins in Dambulla, James Taylor’s side would have wrapped up the five-match series with a victory. Somerset’s Buttler, who struck an unbeaten 102 in the opening game, underpinned a total of 258 for nine with a 130-ball 119 containing 11 fours and a six, but the hosts still eased to their target with six wickets and 15 balls to spare.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Bhanuka Rajapaksa contributed 94 and 72 respectively for Sri Lanka, and skipper Thilina Kandamby, who has 38 one-day international caps to his name, ended unbeaten on 55.

The Lions made a poor start after winning the toss, losing Joe Root to the third delivery, stumped off leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna, who then dismissed Taylor via the same method in his third over.

Somerset CCC's Buttler shared respective stands of 41 with Alex Hales, who made 27 before being run out, 56 with Somerset team-mate Craig Kieswetter, Prasanna’s third victim, and 67 with Jonny Bairstow, the only other batsman to pass 30.

Having brought up his century from 103 deliveries, Buttler fell in the 48th over, caught by Karunaratne off seamer Dhanushka Gunathilleke.

Sri Lanka’s reply began in even worse fashion than their opponents’ effort, Gunathilleke falling lbw to Jade Dernbach for a golden duck. Fellow opener Mahela Udawatte also went cheaply when he was caught behind off Jack Brooks, but Karunaratne and Rajapaksa shared 132 in less than 23 overs to put Sri Lanka firmly in control.

Their alliance was broken when Rajapaksa was caught by Bairstow off Samit Patel.

Karunaratne was unable to reach three figures and departed to Danny Briggs with his side requiring 23 for victory.

It was left to Kandamby to apply the finishing touches, the left-hander ending the match with a six.