England Face Uphill Battle Against Sri Lanka as Final Test Hangs in the Balance

England's push for a perfect home summer faces a daunting challenge as they head into the final day of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval. With Sri Lanka needing 125 more runs to secure an improbable victory and level the series, England's assistant coach, Paul Collingwood, acknowledged the gravity of their situation.

After a difficult day at The Oval, Sri Lanka closed day three at 94-1, with England's target of 219 well within reach. Despite having already clinched the series with a 2-0 lead, England's performance has been far from their best. On Sunday, they were dismissed for just 156 in their second innings, marking their shortest Test innings in over three years.

"This team is capable of doing some special things," Collingwood said. "We have to have that belief we can turn things around. Hopefully, we can get on a roll. It's an exciting opportunity."

England's summer has been defined by a string of five successive Test wins, and they are seeking their first 100% home season in two decades. However, their recent display at The Oval has been lackluster. After reaching 261-3 in their first innings, they were bowled out for 325. In their second innings, England’s collapse to 82-7 left them relying on a blistering 67 from wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to set a challenging target.

Sri Lanka's response has been swift and confident, putting them in a strong position to chase down the target. As the fourth day approaches, they are the favorites to claim a memorable win.

Collingwood stressed the need for a "special day" to turn the match around. "There will be belief in the dressing room," he said. "It will be one hell of a Test match to win from this position. We always look at the opportunity, rather than the failures."

Criticism has followed England's performance, with some observers pointing to complacency and poor tactical decisions. Former England captain Michael Vaughan and all-time leading run-scorer Alastair Cook have both voiced concerns about England's approach.

Collingwood, who is familiar with the scrutiny from his own playing days, acknowledged the criticism but remains focused on the task at hand. "If you don't perform, you will get criticised. That’s fine," he said. "The guys in the dressing room will hold their hands up."

The potential for England to salvage the match is largely thanks to 24-year-old Jamie Smith, whose aggressive batting has been a highlight. Smith, who dazzled with a rapid 52 from 18 deliveries, has drawn comparisons to Australian great Adam Gilchrist for his ability to change the course of a game from the lower order.

"It's exciting when he comes in," Collingwood said of Smith. "He’s certainly an entertainer. You go back to the days of when Gilchrist would come in for Australia. It sucks the life out of you as the opposition when someone has the ability to do something like that."

As England prepare for what promises to be a dramatic final day, they will need a combination of resilience and skill to prevent Sri Lanka from pulling off a historic victory.