Sri Lanka achieved a significant milestone in the World Test Championship (WTC) after surpassing England in the standings by securing a victory in the final match of a three-match series on Monday. Although England claimed the series win, Sri Lanka’s triumph at The Oval helped them rise above the Three Lions in the WTC rankings.
As the current WTC cycle progresses, Sri Lanka has played seven Tests and won three, securing a points percentage of 42.857%. Meanwhile, England, with eight wins from 16 matches, are marginally behind with a points percentage of 42.187%. This slight edge puts Sri Lanka ahead in the standings, despite England’s overall success in the series.
First Innings Recap
England started strong, posting a total of 325 runs within 69.1 overs in the first innings. They then applied pressure on Sri Lanka, restricting Dhananjaya de Silva’s side to 263 runs in just 61.2 overs, creating a gap that seemed difficult for the visitors to overcome. However, the game’s dynamics changed dramatically by the third day.
Sri Lanka’s Stunning Comeback
On day three, Sri Lanka’s bowlers stepped up to reduce England to a precarious 69/5, which later worsened to 82/7. However, a crucial innings from Jamie Smith, who scored 67 off 50 deliveries, gave England some respite, helping them reach 156 within 34 overs in their second innings.
But the true turnaround came when Pathum Nissanka led Sri Lanka’s charge with an aggressive display, consistently striking boundaries. Sri Lanka’s chase surged forward at a rate of over six runs per over, with Nissanka at the helm.
Nissanka’s Heroics and Record Performance
The 26-year-old Nissanka showcased his composure and power, reaching his half-century off just 42 balls. His partnership with Kusal Mendis threatened to take the game away from England before an outstanding catch by Shoaib Bashir on day four broke the stand, dismissing Mendis for a quickfire 37-ball 39. Despite this, Nissanka stayed firm and carried Sri Lanka to victory with an unbeaten 127, alongside veteran Angelo Mathews.
Nissanka’s 127* is now the highest fourth-innings score by a Sri Lankan in a Test match since Kusal Perera’s memorable 153* against South Africa in 2019, marking a historic achievement for the young batter.
Future Fixtures for Sri Lanka and England
Following this victory, Sri Lanka will prepare for two home series, set to face New Zealand and Australia. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope’s England side will take on Pakistan in an upcoming three-match series, followed by another series against New Zealand later in the year.
Sri Lanka’s win not only boosts their standing in the WTC but also adds momentum as they head into their next challenges, while England will be looking to bounce back in their forthcoming encounters.
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