International Courant
Pathum Nissanka’s magnificent unbeaten century led Sri Lanka to a convincing eight-wicket victory within the third Take a look at match in opposition to England, ending a ten-year wait.
Sri Lanka, who had a goal of 219, reached that whole by dropping two wickets earlier than lunch on the fourth day at The Oval on Monday.
Nissanka was on 127 not out and Angelo Mathews on 32 not out in an unbroken 111.
The victory gave Sri Lanka solely their fourth Take a look at win in England and their first since a 100-run triumph at Headingley in 2014.
England received the three-match collection 2-1 after victories at Previous Trafford and Lord’s, however the defeat meant England didn’t win a full dwelling recreation for the primary time since 2004.
What a improbable win to finish the collection! Sri Lanka defeated England by 8 wickets within the third Take a look at.
Congratulations group in your nice achievement!
#ENGvSL photograph.twitter.com/VZk1HUyWWb
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) September 9, 2024
Nissanka, named participant of the match after additionally scoring 64 runs within the first innings, advised Sky Sports activities: “It was an amazing alternative to play in England and I loved that innings.”
“I simply wished to play my regular recreation and that is what I did,” added the season-opener, who was out of the Take a look at group for 2 years.
And for Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva there was little doubt in regards to the significance of main his nation to solely their fourth victory in 21 Take a look at matches in England.
“This is likely one of the happiest moments of my profession and life,” mentioned de Silva.
“We have had a tricky final two weeks so to return right here and win in opposition to an English group in English circumstances is a extremely good second for me, my group and likewise for my nation.”
Sri Lanka resumed the match on 94-1 and have been already effectively positioned to finish their run of seven consecutive Take a look at match defeats in opposition to England.
Nissanka, recalled from Lord’s, was 53 not out and Kusal Mendis was unbeaten on 30.
Nevertheless, Mendis had added solely 9 runs to his rating when he hit a bouncer from Gus Atkinson to nice leg, the place Shoaib Bashir, who did effectively to see the ball on a dismal morning, made a wonderful low catch after diving to his left.
Sri Lanka have been now 108-2 when Mathews, who had scored an excellent 160 of their Headingley success a decade in the past, got here on to bat.
As Sri Lanka made good progress in opposition to the quick boys (137-2), England captain Ollie Pope introduced in off-spinner Bashir.
Nevertheless, Bashir promptly conceded 10 runs in a single over when Nissanka pulled a downed ball to sq. leg and Mathews added 4 extra.
The diminutive Nissanka scored 3 times by way of Atkinson, taking the 26-year-old to a complete of 107 balls, together with 11 fours.
And when he reached the milestone, Nissanka hit quick bowler Olly Stone for 2 sixes.
Nissanka ended the match by bowling out Bashir for 4, having already surpassed his earlier highest Take a look at rating of 103 in opposition to the West Indians at North Sound in 2021.
England squandered quite a few sturdy positions, together with a collapse from 261-3 to 325 all out of their first innings, regardless of 154 from Pope – his first century since changing the injured Ben Stokes as captain at first of the collection.
In addition they allowed Sri Lanka to get better from 93-5 to 263 after Pope led a spin-heavy assault after tea on a dismal second day.
England led by 62 runs within the first innings.
However their prime group performed as if they’d a double benefit for the second time as England spectacularly slumped to 82-7 earlier than being dismissed for 156 in simply 34 overs on Sunday.
Lahiru Kumara took 4-21 and left-handed swing bowler Vishwa Fernando 3-40, together with the prize-winning scalp of Joe Root for simply 12.
Solely wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s counter-attacking 67 from 50 balls, together with 10 fours and a six, ensured Sri Lanka fired over 200 runs to victory.
“It is disappointing to not be on the best facet of the outcome,” Pope mentioned. “Day three (Sunday) we most likely shot ourselves within the foot somewhat bit.
“We weren’t at our greatest and that is right down to Sri Lanka. Nissanka performed at a excessive degree and so they deserved to win this Take a look at.”
Nissanka shines as Sri Lanka beat England in third cricket Take a look at match | Cricket
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