DUBAI: Sri Lanka on Monday secured a landmark victory over England in the final match of the three-match Test series to help them climb above the Three Lions in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Although England claimed the series win, the Lankans turned the tables at The Oval to secure a strong position in both the match and the WTC rankings. Sri Lanka now boast a run percentage of 42.857% from seven Tests, including three wins this cycle, while England, despite winning eight of 16 matches, are close behind with a percentage of 42.187%. In the first innings, England scored a total of 325 runs in 69.1 overs. They quickly put the pressure on Sri Lanka and dismissed them for 263 in 61.2 overs. However, Sri Lanka struck on the third day and reduced England to 69/5 and soon after to 82/7. Jamie Smith offered England some resistance, scoring a quick-fire 67 off 50 balls to help his side set a target of 156 in 34 overs. Despite this, Sri Lanka started firing and Pathum Nissanka led the charge as he smashed boundaries in six overs. Nissanka brought up her half-century in just 42 balls and delivered a strong performance. Shoaib Bashir’s incredible catch on the fourth day ended the partnership between Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, who departed after a 37-ball 39. Yet Nissanka remained strong, finishing unbeaten on 127 and leading Sri Lanka to a memorable victory alongside Angel Mathews. Nissanka’s 127* is now the highest score by a Sri Lankan in the fourth innings of a Test since Kusal Perera’s heroic 153* against South Africa in 2019. Looking ahead, Sri Lanka will face the Black Caps and Australia in two home series. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope’s England side will take on Pakistan in a three-match series before taking on New Zealand later this year.
