New Delhi: England cricket team suffered its first Test defeat this summer as Sri Lanka came all guns blazing to find a consolation win in the third and final Test by eight wickets at the Kennigton Oval in London on Monday. Despite the loss, England won the three-match Test series 2-1.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka scored his maiden Test century in the chase after a brilliant half-century in the first innings. He remained unbeaten on 127, hammering 13 fours and two sixes, as the visitors wrapped the 219-run-chase in the morning of Day 4.
England failed to add to the 62-run lead in the first innings and faltered in the second innings. It was Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Kumara’s gutsy spell (4 for 21) that led the collapse of Ollie Pope & Co. Barring wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s determined 67, England lost its charm of scoring runs in bulk at a rapid mode under head coach Brendon McCullum.
This was Sri Lanka’s first Test win against England over a decade with their last win came at the Headingley, Leeds, when the team clinched the two-match series 1-0 under the captaincy of Angelo Matthews, who is now a senior member of the Test squad.
Here are some of the reactions from former cricketers on Sri Lanka stunning England in London –
“It has been a tremendous effort from Sri Lanka. They adjusted well to the conditions and outbowled the England seamers. They hung in there after having a very poor first day. It is what they need to do more – maintain that intensity and belief. If they do they will win a lot more,” former Sri Lanka player Russel Arnold told BBC Test Match Special.
“Winning a Test is the greatest feeling but it takes a lot of hard work. England will have to sit in the dressing room having won the series but lost the game. They have relaxed, switched off and been a bit blasé. Sri Lanka have completely dominated the game on days two, three and four,” former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Test Special.
“It is a poor end to the summer but if you are Brendon McCullum and Rob Key they will say they have won lot of Tests without senior players, seen more about some players and introduced others into the mix. It is a learning experience. You don’t become the best Test player straight away. It is about learning from these losses,” former England batter Sir Alastair Cook told BBC Test Special.
Here are some of the fans reactions as well:
Watching England pummel everyone all summer has almost been worth it after watching this Sri Lanka win #ENGvsSL #Cricket #CricketTwitter
— Swapnil Phadke (@swapcsz) September 9, 2024
If not Root it was 3-0 in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰favor,Cricket is 50% individual sport unlike other field games!!!
Then there is one 👑 of a begging nation begging for support to win a test against mighty 🐅
— BatBall (@crickettfreak) September 9, 2024
Reborn of Sri Lanka cricket ⏳
— Carpediem (@Pavan__116) September 9, 2024
Sri Lanka under Sanath Jayasuriya:
* Won the ODI series Vs India.
* Won a Test match Vs England in England. pic.twitter.com/LcAw3Tq9Uw
— Daily Sports (@ds_3006) September 9, 2024
Terrible display from England batting and with the ball terrible to lose to a rubbish side Sri Lanka terrible England cricket
— James (@James17919281) September 9, 2024
England will next host Australia for three T20Is and five ODI matches at home from September 11 to 29 while Sri Lanka will host New Zealand for two-match Test series, starting on September 18 in Galle.
England cricket team suffered its first Test defeat this summer as Sri Lanka came all guns blazing to find a consolation win in the third and final Test by eight wickets at the Kennigton Oval in London on Monday. Despite the loss, England won the three-match Test series 2-1. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
