It has been a golden hour for the “Island Nation” as Sri Lanka went on to win convincingly against England by 8 wickets at The Oval. All credit goes to the Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka, who scored a match-winning 127* runs off 124 balls and led the chase in Sri Lanka’s way.
Pathum Nissanka raises his bat for a magnificent second Test century! 💯
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 9, 2024
What a knock! 🤩 #pathumnissanka #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/8ISVosrjAF
Early on, Sri Lanka was in a strong position twice in the game, first when they ended Day-1 on 221/3 and claimed a 62-run lead in the first innings.
On the other hand, England gave away their wickets cheaply, thanks to the Lankan pacers (Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, & Asitha Fernando) who rattled the England batting line-up and restricted them for a mere 156 and giving Sri Lanka a target of 212 win the game.
The stage was set for the Lankan batters and that’s where they put their foot down and took a firm command. Led by Pathum Nissanka, they shattered the English bowling line-up and went to script an emphatic victory.
What a fantastic victory to end the series! Sri Lanka beat England by 8 wickets in the 3rd Test.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 9, 2024
Congratulations to the team on a brilliant performance!
👏 #ENGvSL 🏏 pic.twitter.com/VZk1HUyWWb
Maybe the scoreline says 2-1, but Sri Lanka can be proud of themselves for the way they fought in this final game.
Interestingly, this is Sri Lanka’s 4th Test victory on English shores:
| By 10 wickets | The Oval, 1998 |
| By 134 runs | Trent Bridge, 2006 |
| By 100 runs | Headingley, 2014 |
| By 8 wickets* | The Oval, 2024* |
Also Read: IND vs BAN: KL Rahul Or Sarfaraz, Look At The Probable Playing XI For First Test
This is also the highest successful run-chase by an Asian side in England.
| 219 – SL vs ENG* | The Oval, 2024* |
| 180 – PAK vs AUS | Headingley, 2010 |
| 173 – IND vs ENG | The Oval, 1971 |
| 148 – PAK vs ENG | The Oval, 2010 |
| 138 – PAK vs ENG | Lord’s, 1992 |
