Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
ENG vs SL 3rd Test reactions: Sri Lanka won their fourth Test on English soil after a thumping eight-wicket victory at The Oval. Pathum Nissanka led the way with a superb 127* off 124, sealing a clinical run chase of 219 after England shot themselves in the foot in the second innings.
It was Nissanka’s second Test century. He sent a reminder to the Sri Lankan selectors of his abundant talent, with beautiful drives, precise cuts and dominant pull shots the features of his magnificent knock.
England, despite the series win, would be disappointed as their World Test Championship (WTC) Final hopes have taken a huge hit. After taking a 62-run lead, they crumbled to 156 in just 34 overs in their second innings, with Jamie Smith’s 67 saving the hosts from further embarrassment.
ENG vs SL 3rd Test reactions: Bad side of Bazball as Sri Lanka seal big win
The run chase of 219 could have been tricky given Sri Lanka’s batting issues this series. However, they did it with ease. After Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed in the seventh over for eight, England rarely had a look in other than Shoaib Bashir’s excellent catch out of nowhere to dismiss Kusal Mendis.
Reactions to Nissanka and Sri Lanka victory
Here are some of the reactions to Sri Lanka’s win and Nissanka’s superb 127* off 124 balls.
England criticised for throwing match away
“England just didn’t quite respect Test cricket,” said Michael Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special. Fans echoed those thoughts as England’s frenetic second innings performance cost them dearly.
England will now turn their attention to three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia. Sri Lanka will now travel home for two Tests against New Zealand in Galle starting on September 18.
