By: Nalin Jayetileke
Sri Lanka’s Test victory in England yesterday (9th Sep) marks a historic moment for the team, as it is their first Test win in England in a decade and only their fourth overall. Their last triumph in England was at Leeds in June 2014. The standout performance of the match was by Pathum Nissanka, who scored a magnificent unbeaten 127*. This innings is notable as it is the highest score by a Sri Lankan in the fourth innings of a Test match since Kusal Perera’s unforgettable 153* in South Africa in 2019.
The win was achieved with remarkable resilience, as Sri Lanka showcased great fighting spirit. The pace attack played a pivotal role in dismissing England for 156, turning the game on its head and pulling one back in the three-match series. Nissanka’s knock was particularly impressive, striking at a rate of over 6 runs per over, and ensuring Sri Lanka reached their target with 8 wickets in hand.
This victory is a breath of fresh air for Sri Lankan cricket fans who have been waiting for over a decade to see their team secure a Test win in the historic cricketing land of England. The result also sees Sri Lanka move up in the world Test cricket rankings, further highlighting the significance of this achievement.
The editorial team at thesundayreader.lk joins me in congratulating the Sri Lankan Team for this magnificent performance !
