New Delhi: Sri Lanka went above England on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table after beating the hosts by 8 wickets in the third and final Test of the three-match series between the two sides at the Kennington Oval in London on Monday, September 09. Sri Lanka rode on a brilliant unbeaten century from Pathum Nissanka to chase down the target of 219 runs in their 2nd innings and wrap up a famous victory.
England were in the driver’s seat for the most part of the Test match before a sensational effort from the Sri Lankan pacer during the hosts’ second innings tilted the game in the visitors’ favour. Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando combined to run riot as some careless batting saw England getting bundled out for a paltry total of 163 runs in their second innings.
Asked to chase a tricky target of 219 runs in the 4th innings, Sri Lanka got off to a poor start as Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed cheaply on 8. Nissanka combined with Kusal Mendis to help the visitors recover well as the dup posted a partnership of 69 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Mendis made a valuable contribution of 39 runs before a brilliant catch from Shoaib Bashir led to his dismissal off the bowling of Gus Atkinson. However, Nissanka stood like a rock and joined hands with veteran Angelo Mathews (32) to steer his team to a famous victory. With the win, Sri Lanka moved to the 5th spot on the WTC points table.
Sri Lanka have three wins in seven Tests in the ongoing cycle and a win percentage of 42.86. England, on the other hand, have managed 8 wins in 16 Test matches in this cycle and have a win percentage of 42.19. England are in the 6th spot on the WTC points table.
Updated WTC points table:
Sri Lanka bag 4th Test win in England
Despite losing the series 2-1, Sri Lanka managed to end the three-match rubber on a high with a famous win at the Oval. It was only their 4th Test victory on English soil. Sri Lanka last won a Test match in England in 2014 when they beat the hosts by 100 runs at Leeds. Sri Lanka had won the two-match series 1-0 back then.
Sri Lanka pipped England to move up in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table after beating the hosts by 8 wickets in the third Test between the two sides at the Kennington Oval in London on Monday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
