3rd Test
Day-4 Morning Session Highlights:
Pathum Nissanka has scored a century as Sri Lanka has secured a memorable run chase victory
England scored 325 (1st Innings) & 156 (2nd Innings), where as Sri Lanka scored 263 (1st Innings) & 219/2 (2nd Innings).
So, finally Sri Lanka beat England by 8 wickets.
Opener Pathum Nissanka’s superb unbeaten century led Sri Lanka to a famous victory at The Oval, successfully chasing down a modest target with eight wickets in hand.
Despite already losing the series, this consolation win was significant for Sri Lanka, marking their first Test win against England in a decade.
Sri Lanka were in a strong position going into day four after their bowlers dominated, dismissing England for just 156 in their second innings.
Nissanka and Kusal Mendis built on that momentum with an aggressive partnership before stumps on day three.
On the fourth morning, Mendis set the tone with a boundary off the first over.
Although Chris Woakes found Nissanka’s outside edge, it fell short of the slips, briefly hinting that Sri Lanka might dial back their aggression.
However, when Gus Atkinson bowled short, Mendis went after it, only to be brilliantly caught by Shoaib Bashir at long leg.
Following a boundary from Nissanka off Woakes, England rotated their bowlers in search of a breakthrough.
Nissanka and Angelo Mathews kept the scoreboard ticking with some risky runs, and Nissanka further asserted dominance with a cut shot for four off Josh Hull.
Bashir was reintroduced, hoping for a wicket, but Nissanka and Mathews quickly neutralized his threat with back-to-back boundaries.
After a cautious start, Sri Lanka’s run rate accelerated, and Nissanka reached a well-earned century.
With the win in sight, Nissanka smashed Olly Stone for two sixes in consecutive overs, and it was fitting that he hit the winning runs.
His match-winning knock, coupled with a rapid fifty in the first innings, earned him the Player of the Match award.
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