Sri Lanka Deny England a Perfect Summer with Historic Oval Victory

Pathum Nissanka's unbeaten 127 guided Sri Lanka to a remarkable eight-wicket victory over England in the final Test at The Kia Oval, ensuring a memorable end to a challenging series for the visitors.

England had the chance to secure a 100% home summer for the first time in two decades, but a combination of underwhelming performances and Nissanka's brilliance ensured that Sri Lanka, despite losing the series 2-1, walked away with a significant achievement.

Resuming day four at 94-1, Sri Lanka required 125 runs to chase down England’s target of 219. Kusal Mendis's dismissal for 39, courtesy of a bouncer from Gus Atkinson and a spectacular catch by Shoaib Bashir, gave England a glimmer of hope. However, that hope was quickly extinguished by Nissanka and Angelo Mathews.

Nissanka, having already passed his century, remained imperious despite a missed chance when Bashir failed to hold onto a catch at third man. His unbeaten 127, alongside Mathews' 32 not out, guided Sri Lanka to victory with an unbroken partnership of 111 runs. This was Sri Lanka's fourth Test win in England and ended a 10-match winless streak against the hosts.

England's performance on days two and three had left them with a tough task on the final day. The hosts' batting had faltered in their second innings, setting up a modest target. Despite a spirited start, the lack of early breakthroughs on day four and Nissanka's attacking prowess tilted the game in Sri Lanka's favor.

Nissanka's aggressive innings saw him become the first batter to score two half-centuries at a rate faster than a run a ball in a single Test in England. His knock was characterized by a series of powerful shots, particularly against short-pitched deliveries from Olly Stone. The home side's bowlers, including debutant Josh Hull and off-spinner Bashir, struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen.

England’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when Nissanka reached his second Test century with a back-foot punch off Atkinson. An opportunity to dismiss him was missed when a cut shot off Stone’s bouncer slipped through Bashir's grasp. Nissanka's innings was a masterclass in resilience and skill, fittingly finishing the game with a boundary through third man.

The result leaves England with mixed feelings as they conclude their summer series with victories over West Indies and Sri Lanka but with a sense of missed opportunities. With the next Test series scheduled in Pakistan starting soon, England faces the challenge of maintaining their form amidst ongoing venue renovations in the country.

As England transitions to a busy international calendar, their T20 squad will face Australia in Southampton starting Wednesday, showcasing the depth and versatility of the team across formats.