How Sri Lanka ended their decade-long wait for Test win in England

NEW DELHI: Opener Pathum Nissanka struck a superb unbeaten ton to lead Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory over England at The Oval on Monday.
The marked Sri Lanka's first Test-match win in England in a decade.
Chasing a target of 219 in the fourth innings, Sri Lanka got to the target losing only two wickets before lunch on the fourth day.
Nissanka remained 127 not out, while Angelo Mathews contributed 32 not out, forming an unbroken partnership of 111 runs.

Along with the first Test win in England in 10 years, the victory was also Lanka's only fourth in the country and the first since their success at Headingley in 2014.
Sri Lanka's Test wins in England
- By 10 wickets - The Oval, 1998
- By 134 runs - Trent Bridge, 2006
- By 100 runs - Headingley, 2014
- By 8 wickets - The Oval, 2024
Lanka's win at the Oval is now also the highest successful-run chases by Asian team in England.
It was also Sri Lanka’s second successful 200-plus run-chase in Tests outside the subcontinent after their thrilling one-wicket win (target: 352) against South Africa in Durban in 2019.

Despite the loss, England won the three-match series 2-1, having secured victories at Old Trafford and Lord's earlier.
England's attempt to complete a clean sweep of their home campaign, which they last achieved in 2004, was thwarted. They had earlier whitewashed the West Indies 3-0 this season.
Nissanka, the player-of-the-match, also scored 64 in the first innings.
The Lankans began the day on 94 for 1, with Nissanka on 53 not out and Kusal Mendis on 30. Mendis added only nine runs before getting out, leaving Sri Lanka at 108 for 2. Mathews then joined Nissanka at the crease.
Nissanka and Mathews then build a solid stand as the former completed his hundred off 107 balls, including 11 fours, and he scored additional sixes off Olly Stone.
Nissanka finished the match by cutting Bashir for four, surpassing his previous highest Test score.