London: Sri Lanka secured a crucial victory over England in the third Test at The Oval, overtaking the hosts in the ICC World Test Championship standings. This win marked their first Test victory on English soil in over a decade, moving them ahead of England in the points table.

According to International Cricket Council, “The series ended with England taking the overall win, but Sri Lanka’s triumph in the final Test allowed them to surpass England in the championship standings. Sri Lanka now holds a points percentage of 42.857% after three wins in seven tests this cycle, slightly edging out England’s 42.187% from eight wins in 16 matches.”

The match featured a strong performance by Sri Lankan pacers on the third day, drastically turning the game in their favor by reducing England to 69/5. Despite a fighting half-century from England’s Jamie Smith, Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept the pressure on, eventually setting themselves a target of 219 runs. Led by a stellar innings from Pathum Nissanka, who scored an unbeaten 127, Sri Lanka achieved the target with remarkable ease, highlighting their batting strength and resilience under pressure.

Nissanka’s performance, including a critical 51-ball 64 in the first innings and a record-setting 127* in the fourth, underscored his pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s historic win. This victory not only boosts their standings but also sets the stage for their upcoming high-profile series against New Zealand and Australia, followed by a challenging tour to South Africa.