Pathum Nissanka’s ton helps Sri Lanka script a massive victory at The Oval to end the series on a high for the visitors.
Chasing 219 at the start of the 4th day, Sri Lanka started the same way they did yesterday. With Pathum Nissanka leading the charge, everything finally came together for the visitors.
Resuming the day on 94/1, Sri Lanka took only 25.3 overs to overhaul the remaining 125 runs as the visitors cantered to the target with ease.
Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews were ideal partners for Pathum Nissanka, who was calm and composed throughout his time in the middle.
He scored 127 as England ended their home summer with a loss.
Questions will be asked about the home side and their body language when they fell behind in the game.
The bowling managed to get only 1 out of 9 wickets as nothing seemed to go right for the hosts.
Atkinson dismissed Mendis for a brisk 35 but Mathews was the ideal foil for Nissanka as they went about chasing the target with ease.
Nissanka raised his century running three with a neat cut off Atkinson to deep point. He then soaked in the adulation as he completed his 2nd Test ton.
The fact that this was only his second Test since 2022 only made this ton more sweeter.
Almost inevitably, it was Nissanka who hit the winning runs after viciously cutting Bashir for four through point.
The win was deserved but was an unpredictable contest which Sri Lanka’s bowlers seized control of on the third day.
Pathum Nissanka’s ton was laced with 13 boundaries and 2 sixes. He won Player of the match while Kamindu Mendis was adjudged POTS for his brilliant performance in the series.
Despite the win, England ended up winning the 3-match series 2-1.