SL vs ENG Test Match: Sri Lanka’s Stunning Victory Over England in the 3rd Test
The SL vs ENG test match concluded in dramatic fashion as Sri Lanka cruised to an 8-wicket victory over England on Day 4 of the 3rd Test, salvaging pride in the series despite England winning it 2-1. This contest, held at The Oval, saw remarkable performances on both sides, but Sri Lanka’s dominance on the final day stole the show.
Match Overview
| England (1st innings) | England (2nd innings) | Player of the Series |
|---|---|---|
| 325/10 | 156/10 | Joe Root (England) |
| Sri Lanka (1st innings) | Sri Lanka (2nd innings) | Player of the Match |
263/10 | 219/2 (40.3 overs) | Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 64 (1st innings) & 127 (2nd innings)* |
In a gripping series finale, Sri Lanka clinched victory by 8 wickets, chasing down the modest target of 219 with ease. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends. England posted a first-innings score of 325 all out, anchored by a brilliant 154 from Ollie Pope and a quickfire 88 from Ben Duckett. However, Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando, made sure the damage was limited.
In response, Sri Lanka managed 263 runs in their first innings, with Pathum Nissanka’s 54 and Dhananjaya de Silva’s 69 leading the charge. Despite Ollie Stone’s 5-wicket haul, Sri Lanka stayed within striking distance.
England’s second innings saw them struggle, collapsing for just 156, with Jamie Smith’s 67 being the only noteworthy contribution. Sri Lanka’s pace duo, Kumara and Fernando, wreaked havoc again, putting their team in a strong position to chase the target.
Sri Lanka then confidently chased the 219-run target in just 40.3 overs, thanks to a magnificent 127* from Pathum Nissanka. Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis also chipped in, securing the win. This Sri Lanka vs England test cricket clash was a thrilling spectacle that showcased Sri Lanka’s resilience.
First Innings: England Dominates with Ollie Pope’s Masterclass
England came into the first innings with aggression, led by Ollie Pope’s superb 154 from 156 balls. Ben Duckett’s 88 helped England put up a solid total of 325 runs. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Lahiru Kumara (4/21) and Vishwa Fernando (3/54), ensured that the hosts didn’t run away with the game.
Sri Lanka’s Response: Nissanka and De Silva Lead the Fightback
In their first innings, Sri Lanka found themselves in early trouble but rallied behind the experienced Dhananjaya de Silva’s 69 and Pathum Nissanka’s solid 54. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, they managed 263 all out, keeping England’s lead manageable. Ollie Stone’s 5/63 and Josh Hull’s 3/31 were the standout bowling figures for England.
England’s Struggles: A 2nd Innings Collapse
England’s second innings fell apart as Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led once again by Lahiru Kumara, demolished their batting lineup for just 156 runs. Only Jamie Smith (67) showed any resistance. This gave Sri Lanka a straightforward target of 219 runs, which they chased down with ease.
Pathum Nissanka’s Heroics in the 2nd Innings
Sri Lanka’s 2nd innings was a masterclass in batting from Pathum Nissanka, who scored an unbeaten 127 from 124 balls. His partnership with Kusal Mendis (39*) and a strong start from Dimuth Karunaratne (38) ensured Sri Lanka’s victory. England bowlers, including Chris Woakes (1/40) and Gus Atkinson (1/52), couldn’t stop the Sri Lankan charge.
Conclusion:
This Sri Lanka vs England test cricket encounter was a perfect example of Sri Lanka’s ability to bounce back, and it featured a match-winning knock by Pathum Nissanka, who rightly earned the Player of the Match award. England may have taken the series 2-1, but Sri Lanka walked away with their heads held high, securing a morale-boosting victory.
FAQs
Who is the highest test scorer in Sri Lanka?
Kumar Sangakkara holds the record as Sri Lanka’s highest Test run-scorer, amassing a total of 12,400 runs.
Most Runs in Test for Sri Lanka
- Kumar Sangakkara: 12,400
- Mahela Jayawardene: 11,814
- Angelo Mathews: 7,673
- Sanath Jayasuriya: 6,973
Who scored fastest 12,000 runs in Test?
Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for reaching 12,000 Test runs in the quickest time, achieving the feat in just 224 innings.
Who is the best Sri Lankan batsman?
Many consider Kumar Sangakkara as the best Sri Lankan batsman, with a staggering 13,975 runs across 397 matches. Other prominent names include Sanath Jayasuriya (13,364 runs) and Mahela Jayawardene (12,381 runs).
Who won the most matches, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka?
Pakistan has won the most matches in their ODI encounters with Sri Lanka. Out of 157 ODIs, Pakistan has won 93, boasting a winning percentage of 58.97%.
What is the lowest score in Sri Lanka T20?
The lowest score for Sri Lanka in a T20 International is 77, recorded against South Africa during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
For the latest updates and in-depth coverage of the ICC T20 World Cup, be sure to visit ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
