Pathum Nissanka completed a wonderful century as Sri Lanka ended England’s 100 per cent record in Tests this summer with an emphatic eight-wicket win at The Oval.
The tourists started day four requiring another 125 runs to win with nine wickets in hand as they sought a first Test win over England in a decade.
They achieved it with few alarms, reaching 219 for two, as England’s attack again looked toothless despite favourable conditions in South London.
Helped by Nissanka’s 127 not out – a knock made from just 124 balls – Sri Lanka cruised to victory although England still won the series 2-1 following earlier victories at Old Trafford and Lord’s.
What a fantastic victory to end the series! Sri Lanka beat England by 8 wickets in the 3rd Test.
Congratulations to the team on a brilliant performance!
👏 #ENGVSL 🏏 PIC.TWITTER.COM/VZK1HUYWWB
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
The manner of the defeat won’t sit well, however, with coach Brendon McCullum or captain Ben Stokes, who is out of action due to a hamstring injury and had to watch from the balcony as Ollie Pope led the side.
England were careless with the bat, a first-innings collapse starting the malaise that continued with a shambolic effort of 156 in just 34 overs in their second knock. The bowlers fared little better, particularly late yesterday and early today with Nissanka looking in total command.
England were given a sniff when Kusal Mendis departed this morning for 39 – Shoaib Bashir taking a brilliant catch in the deep off the bowling of Gus Atkinson – to leave Sri Lanka on 108 for two but the experience of Angelo Mathews came to the fore with a steady 32 not out to help his side home.
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said: “There was lots of emotion in the team room. It’s one of the happiest moments of my career.
“We had a tough time previously and to come back here and get a win in England under English conditions is good for me, my team and my country.
“The moment Pathum Nissanka came on he performed well. It’s a good moment and I think we can beat other teams in their home country.”
Pope admitted England were not at their best. He said: “We felt we were in a really good position and were outplayed for the last day and a session. We didn’t bat our best yesterday and didn’t bowl our best. We should have been able to put a lot more on the board with the bat.
“We could have liked to have 400 on board in that first dig but felt there was fair bit in wicket and felt we could bowl them out for a fair bit less than us. We had a poor day three and credit to Sri Lanka as well.
“We weren’t at our best but that was a brilliant knock from Nissanka as well. There are a couple of good lessons we can learn from day three.”
