Sri Lanka is poised to secure a series victory over England in the third Test at The Oval, putting themselves on the verge of a stunning turnaround. After dismissing England for a paltry 156 in their first innings, Sri Lanka took control of the match, reaching 94-1 in pursuit of a 219-run target by the end of Day 3.
Pathum Nissanka was the architect of Sri Lanka’s resurgence, showcasing a masterful display of batting with his unbeaten 53 runs. His 55-run partnership with Kusal Mendis (30 not out) further solidified Sri Lanka’s dominance, leaving them needing just 125 runs to seal the victory.
However, despite the impending triumph, the series has already been decided, with England suffering defeats in the first two Tests at Old Trafford and Lord’s. Nevertheless, England is seeking to avoid a second consecutive series sweep this summer after their 3-0 loss to the West Indies in July, but they face an uphill battle against a resurgent Sri Lankan team.
The third Test saw Sri Lanka dominate proceedings throughout Day 3. Starting the day on 211-5, they were eventually dismissed for 263, falling just 62 runs short of England’s first innings total. However, they swiftly turned the tables by dismantling England’s batting unit in a mere 34 overs.
England’s second innings was a tale of two halves. After a shaky start that saw them slump to 82-7, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith orchestrated a remarkable counterattack. His blistering 67-run knock, which included 10 fours and a six, provided a glimmer of hope for England.
However, Smith’s heroics couldn’t salvage the situation. Only Dan Lawrence, with his exciting yet uncontrolled 35, managed to provide any resistance alongside Smith. The rest of the English batting lineup crumbled, with key players like Ollie Pope (7), Ben Duckett (7), and Joe Root (12) failing to make a significant impact.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was instrumental in dismantling England. Lahiru Kumara was the standout performer, claiming 4-21. His fiery spell set the stage for Sri Lanka’s chase, making them the firm favorites to win the Test.
Nissanka, already having scored a half-century in the first innings, reached his second fifty of the match off just 42 balls. He now boasts an impressive seven half-centuries in his 11 Test appearances. The only blip in Sri Lanka’s chase came when Dimuth Karunaratne (8) was dismissed by Chris Woakes.
Despite England’s efforts to capitalize on a pitch offering some assistance, Sri Lanka’s determination and Nissanka’s brilliance left them in a commanding position.
The early end to play due to bad light left England facing a daunting task on the final day. With Mendis joining Nissanka in launching a relentless attack, Sri Lanka appears set to claim a resounding victory and end the series on a high.
